Vintage Hand-Carved Javanese Wooden Mortar & Pestle – Circa 1930s Spice Grinder – Rustic Kitchen & Home Décor

Vintage Hand-Carved Javanese Wooden Mortar & Pestle – Circa 1930s Spice Grinder – Rustic Kitchen & Home Décor

  • An old, hand-carved wooden mortar and pestle set with various spices and a traditional figure head on a white background.
  • An old, hand-carved wooden mortar and pestle set with a traditional figure head on a white background.
  • An old, hand-carved wooden mortar and pestle set with a traditional figure head on a white background.
  • An old, hand-carved wooden mortar and pestle set with a traditional figure head on a white background.
  • An old, hand-carved wooden pestle with signs of use on a white background.
  • An old, hand-carved wooden pestle with signs of use on a white background.
  • An old, hand-carved wooden mortar with the handle carved like a male face, positioned on a white background.
  • Close-up shot of an old, hand-carved wooden mortar with its handle carved like a male face, positioned on a wooden pestle.
  • An old, hand-carved wooden mortar and pestle set with various spices and a traditional figure head on a white background.
  • An old, hand-carved Asian wooden spice grinder set with signs of use on a white background.
1 10
$387.50 USD
$387.50 USD
Sale Sold out
Taxes included. Shipping calculated at checkout.
View full details

Description

This vintage hand-carved Javanese mortar and pestle is a rare one-of-a-kind piece with a story behind it. Originally belonging to a cook's grandfather who specialized in traditional Javanese cuisine. 

Whether displayed as a cultural artefact or a statement décor piece, it brings an extraordinary depth of history and craftsmanship to any home.

What makes it special:

  • Hand-carved pestle portrait: the pestle is carved in the likeness of the grandfather's facial features, wearing a blangkon (traditional Javanese headwear), making this a truly irreplaceable work of folk art
  • Six-section mortar design: six small compartments allow spices and vegetables to be sorted and prepared separately before being combined in the central grinding section, reflecting a functional design rooted in Javanese cooking tradition
  • Tropical hardwood construction: crafted from dense, durable tropical hardwood that has withstood a century of use
  • Circa 1930s provenance: almost 100 years old, this piece carries genuine patina of a working kitchen tool from colonial-era Java

Dimensions & weight:

  • Mortar – 16" × 7.8" × 2.36" (41 × 20 × 6 cm)
  • Pestle – 8.27" × 2.36" × 2.36" (21 × 6 × 6 cm)
  • Weight – 2,050 gram (4.5 lbs)

Perfect for:

  • Collectors of antique kitchenware and Southeast Asian folk art
  • Lovers of Javanese culture, traditional craftsmanship, and heritage pieces
  • Interior styling as a rustic kitchen display or table decor
  • Gifting to food historians, home cooks, or anyone who appreciates handmade antiques with provenance

About the blangkon:

Blangkon is a traditional Javanese headwear worn by men, made from batik fabric and folded into a distinctive form. It is a symbol of Javanese identity and cultural pride, often associated with wisdom and social standing. Its presence carved into this pestle speaks to the deep respect held for the grandfather whose hands shaped the food traditions of his family.