The pestle is the stick used for pounding, and the mortar is the vessel or bowl in which the grinding happens. With this design the pestle is actually a solid stone (marble) hemisphere fitting snugly into the mortar (the bowl). A stone mortar and pestle makes for much easier grinding than a wooden one.

Here you can see the pestle lying next to the mortar. Perhaps someone is about to perpare their magick ingredients

I've photographed it on a light background; as an art object it would look better against blue. If you want it on a dark background, cut it out at full size and blur the edges slightly before scaling it down -- or maybe select it, cut it, then select all and feather the selection, scale it down and paste it as a new layer. the idea is to avoid a light-coloured fringe. I will also make a picture against a darker background if you want.

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You can use the images here in any work on DeviantArt (including prints) without needing any permission or paying any fee; I ask that you let me know when you use a piece so I can link back to it.

You can use the pieces non-commercially for any purpose whatsoever; again I'd like a link back if possible.

You can use the pieces commercially, but in this case you must send me a copy of the finished work, and the cost is that you must go entirely barefoot for a day, i.e. all the time for 24 consecutive hours. OK, I'm weird. Live with it.

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