Pestle

Item number 807/1 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Data
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Description

Long cylindrical wooden piece that has been shaved slightly inwards at one end. Other end is slightly rounded and entire surface has a smooth finish with well defined carving marks.

History Of Use

Such mortars and pestles were used at the time this one was collected (1981) 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.

Narrative

Given to Elizabeth Johnson by Mr. Fung because the mortar she had purchased for the Museum of Anthropology was lacking a pestle. Used by local Hakka people in Tsuen Wan, and probably also by members of other Chinese sub-ethnic groups.