Basalt Mano and Metate Grinding Stone Set, 39 lbs View Watchlist >
- Winning Bid: $261.00
- 46 Bid(s) View Bid History
- High Bidder: Henrylates
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Lot # A586
System ID # 26003374
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3 Watching
Basalt Mano and Metate Grinding Stone Set, 39 lbs
A substantial basalt mano and metate grinding stone set, traditionally used for milling grains, seeds, and pigments. Fashioned from coarse volcanic basalt, the metate shows a shallow oval depression worn smooth by centuries of use, paired with a hand-held mano that fits naturally within its basin. This utilitarian pairing exemplifies ancient food preparation technology found across the American Southwest and Mesoamerica.
Grinding tools of this type have been used for millennia—some examples dating back over 20,000 years—serving as essential implements in daily life for processing maize and other staple foods. Beyond their domestic role, such tools also carried symbolic meaning in certain Indigenous cultures, occasionally found in ritual or burial contexts. A compelling artifact of early agrarian craftsmanship, suitable for display in ethnographic or archaeological collections, or as a sculptural accent with strong historical resonance.
Condition
Good, with signs of outdoor display as shown. Surface wear, minor abrasions, and edge chipping consistent with age and exposure. Stable and display-ready.
Dimensions
Metate: 5.5" H × 16" W × 9" D
Mano: 1.75" H × 5.25" W × 4" D
Overall Weight: 39 lbs
Please Note: Soup for Scale in Photo
