Pestle 1800 - 1825

This Pestle was likely made some time ago, by an anonymous maker, from a single piece of wood. You can see how the maker coaxed the material into a specific form using subtractive techniques of carving and incising, shaping the wood to create a functional object and a figurative sculpture in one. The figure is carved with some detail, as you can see the hands are resting on the knees, and there are carved decorations that adorn the head. The form is very smooth, which suggests that the anonymous maker used wood rasping techniques as well as incising and carving techniques, showing knowledge of both the sculptural and the functional elements. The production process clearly demanded time and skill, as the material of wood has its own unique properties and behavior that the maker would have needed to understand and respect. Considering the labor and material, it’s clear that the maker valued both the artistic and utilitarian possibilities of wood, challenging any distinction between the categories of art and craft.