Metate y Mano

This large and impressive early colonial period 'metate y mano' (grinding slab and grinding stone) is hand chiseled, carved and shaped from volcanic rock. A metate, essentially a mortar, is a tool used to grind maize, grains and seeds together with the mano (hand) which serves as a pestle. 

These simple tools have a long and rich history in Meso-america, dating back millennia, with different styles that can be traced back to Aztec, Mayan and various Costa Rican civilizations. The metate and mano proved good for grinding cacao beans, chilies, curds of cheese, nuts and perhaps most importantly, the production of kitchen staples such as tortilla dough. 

It is rare to find these as an original complete set, such as the example offered here. This metate and mano set is in excellent, original, unbroken and unrestored condition with great surface patina -- well used and handled, a testament to it's age. 

** The accessories shown in several of the images above were added to help demonstrate size and scale. They are not part of this listing. 

Dimensions: metate measures 19 inches long x 16 inches wide x 4 inches high. 

Condition: excellent - unbroken. 

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