Mortar

This mortar of cast brass or bronze was designed for grinding spices or medicines. Its sides are decorated with engraved patterns and raised "lotus-bud" or "teardrop" shaped studs. The rim of the vessel has a pattern of intertwined scrolls, and the top panel has rectangular bands with inscriptions in the kufic style of Arabic calligraphy; the inscriptions have not yet been translated. The lugs on either side of the vessel are shaped like the head of an animal—perhaps a bull—and hold rings for lifting the heavy mortar.