Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5

Korean Nambangae Grain Mortar, c. 1800

About the Item

This primitive wooden vessel is a traditional Korean wood mortar used for pounding rice and grains. A form unique to South Korea's Jeju Island, the mortar is known as a nambang-ae and is curiously shaped with a wide, shallow basin and a short pedestal base. As evidenced by its enormous scale, the nambang-ae is shaped from the hollowed cross-section of a very old tree and inset with a smaller round mortar carved from volcanic rock. The broad expanse of the mortar allowed for multiple people to pound grains together, and so resulted in its own folk traditions and song. Ideal today as a sculptural vessel or planter, the mortar expresses the understated beauty of an authentic object, decorated only by signs of wear and the swirling movement of the wood grain. Deaccessioned from the MacLean Collection of Asian Art.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 14.75 in (37.47 cm)Diameter: 33 in (83.82 cm)
  • Style:
    Primitive (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    c. 1800
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading. Old patched repair to basin interior.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: CMCL1241stDibs: LU820044891912

More From This Seller

View All
Provincial Chinese Trunk Mortar, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This large wooden mortar dates to the late 19th century and was originally used for crushing rice, grain, spices and other foodstuffs. Carved from a single tree trunk, the mortar has...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Primitive Antiquities

Materials

Wood

Provincial Chinese Trunk Mortar, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This large wooden mortar dates to the late 19th century and was originally used for crushing rice, grain, spices and other foodstuffs. Carved from a single tree trunk, the mortar has...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Rustic Antiquities

Materials

Iron

Chinese Stone Kitchen Mortar, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Carved from a single block of granite, this stone vessel is an early 19th century mortar once used in a Chinese kitchen to grind spices, herbs, and other condiments. Chisel marks tex...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Minimalist Planters, Cachepots and Ja...

Materials

Granite

Chinese Stone Kitchen Mortar, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Carved from a single block of granite, this stone vessel is an early 19th century mortar once used in a Chinese kitchen to grind spices, herbs, and other condiments. Chisel marks tex...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Rustic Planters, Cachepots and Jardin...

Materials

Granite

Chinese Stone Kitchen Mortar, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Carved from a single block of granite, this stone vessel is an early 19th century mortar once used in a Chinese kitchen to grind spices, herbs, and other condiments. The small mortar...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Organic Modern Planters, Cachepots an...

Materials

Granite

Chinese Stone Kitchen Mortar, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Carved from a single block of limestone, this stone vessel is an early 19th century mortar once used to grind spices, herbs, and other condiments. The hand chiseled, rustic exterior ...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Rustic Planters, Cachepots and Jardin...

Materials

Limestone

You May Also Like

Antique Large Swedish Stone Mortar, circa 1800
By Skultuna
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This large and heavy mortar made in stone are perfect for display and interior. Made in Sweden ca 1800s. This unique piece has its origin in the middle of Sweden and its was made wit...
Category

Antique Early 1800s Swedish Folk Art Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières

Materials

Stone

1800's Swedish Mortars made of Öland limestone
Located in Farsta, SE
Mortars made of Öland limestone in the 1800's was used by many in Sweden. They was known for its durability and ability to withstand wear over time. Great patina and beautiful depth...
Category

Antique 18th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases

Materials

Limestone

Encrusted Cizao tradeware from Fujian, 13th/14th century (TWO AVAILABLE)
Located in Chicago, IL
Two pieces of a pair of encrusted rare Cizao tradeware vessels from Fujian. These items were made for export to Southeast Asia. Southern Song to Yuan Dyn...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antiquities

Materials

Pottery

Thai Ban Prasat Ware Vase
Located in Hudson, NY
Thai Ban Prasat ware vase, the Ban Prasat area of Thailand was home to an agrarian civilization about 3000 years ago. Discovered by an archeological dig in ...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Thai Antiquities

Materials

Ceramic

Large Thai Ban Chiang Painted Pottery Vessel, Late Period, circa 300 BC
Located in Austin, TX
A massive Ban Chiang culture painted pottery vessel, circa 300 BC, Thailand. The large storage jar painted with a bold spiral pattern in red ochre on a b...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Thai Jars

Materials

Pottery

Ancient Japanese Kutani Vases, 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
These Japanese Kutani Vases are refined decorative objects realized by a Japanese artist in the 19th century. This beautiful set includes two ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Recently Viewed

View All