Olive Wood Mortar and Pestle

Earlier this year, during a thunderstorm, the Hollow Tree dropped a limb. Because every part of her is precious, the wood scraps were salvaged to make bowls, plates, and kitchen tools.. This free-form mortar and pestle has irregular edges and dark ripples. However, the holes, cracks, and ripples have their own beauty. They are the bits that remain of decades of memories: foraging birds, burrowing creatures, jostling winds, droughts, lightning strikes, voices raised in song, tinkling bells. 

 

Each hand-turned olive wood mortar and pestle is unique, with natural occlusions and marks.  It measures about 4 inches across.  Wash it by hand and maintain it with occasional application of olive oil.  It was manufactured in a sustainable fashion in Tunisia, using the offcuts of wood created during the pruning process.  (Cultivated olive trees are pruned to increase their longevity.)