Mortar Item Number: Edz1040 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Large, deep mortar with glazed outer surface and unglazed interior. Exterior is decorated with small area of black marks on mustard ground; interior has crosshatched diagonal lines incised into surface.
History Of Use
Such mortars were used at the time this one was collected to grind peanuts and sesame seeds to fill sweet steamed cakes called (in Cantonese) chah gwo. Ground peanuts and sesame seeds were also used to make sweet soups called wuh. They could also be used to grind small quantities of pre-soaked rice into flour, although in Tsuen Wan larger quantities were carried by women to a mill to be ground. In the past, large quantities had been ground by hand in a mill at home. The mortar should have with it a pestle, called gwan.
Narrative
Purchased from a small shop in a shed on Chung On St., Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong. The shop sold hardware, household goods, bamboo products, etc. Used by local Hakka people in Tsuen Wan, and probably also by members of other Chinese sub-ethnic groups.
Item History
- Made in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, China
- Collected by Elizabeth L. Johnson during 1980
- Owned by Elizabeth L. Johnson before March 17, 1980
- Received from Elizabeth L. Johnson (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) on March 17, 1980
What
Who
- Culture
- Chinese
- Field Collector
- Elizabeth L. Johnson
- Previous Owner
- Elizabeth L. Johnson
- Received from
- Elizabeth L. Johnson (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, China
When
- Collection Date
- during 1980
- Ownership Date
- before March 17, 1980
- Acquisition Date
- on March 17, 1980
Other
- Item Classes
- ceramics
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0610/0010