Folk Art: Tobacco Mortar, Turned Boxwood, France, 19th Century

Made entirely of turned boxwood, this charming mortar and pestle for tobacco is a common example of 19th-century French folk art. The beautifully crafted mortar consists of a rounded section and a concave section, all framed by three rings. The lathe marks are still clearly visible on the underside. The mortar, carved from a single piece of wood, possesses the charm typical of such folk objects: rough, imperfect, and fascinating. Thin metal blades, which must have been very sharp in their day, are arranged in a cross at its end: the tobacco really didn’t stand a chance.

This mortar is the perfect example of someone who, out of necessity and a lack of resources, makes their own objects and cherishes them for a lifetime. Inanimate objects, do you really have a soul?

Dimensions:
Mortar: H 6.5 cm, D 4 cm
Pestle: 9 cm

Free shipping to mainland France. Please contact me by email if possible. I’m available to provide further information.