African Stone Pestle / Grinding Implement

Description

Africa, Neolithic Period or later

African Stone Pestle / Grinding Implement. A substantial stone pestle or grinding implement, carved from a dense speckled hardstone, possibly quartzite or related stone. The piece is of elongated cylindrical form with rounded ends and a slight constricted groove near one terminal, likely intended to assist with grip or hafting. Its considerable weight and smoothed surface suggest use as a pounding, grinding, or processing tool.

The stone displays an attractive pale gray-white surface with reddish and dark mineral inclusions throughout. A strong and tactile example of traditional stone tool workmanship, notable for its scale, balanced form, and heavy, functional presence.

Dimensions: 12 1/2 in. LWeight: 6 lb. 4.2 oz.

Ex-Tennessee Estate. Family collection of an esteemed diplomat and ambassador amassed during travel and work circa 1960-1990s in the medical field providing charitable advanced medical care throughout the African continent and internationally.

Condition

Wear consistent with age and use, including surface abrasions, natural stone inclusions, minor pitting, and scattered deposits.

Buyer's Premium

25%

African Stone Pestle / Grinding Implement

Lot 0099

Estimate $200-$300Jun 25, 2026, 1:00 PM EDT

Starting Price

Secure

$100

SET YOUR MAX BID

Good Bid

Strong Bid

Competitive Bid

Or select a higher max bid amount

Get approved to bid.

LiveAuctioneers Purchase Protection

Vetted auction houses

Secure, online bidding

Returns guaranteed for misrepresented listings

Dedicated support when you need it

Ethnographic Art Jewelry and Antiquities

Jun 25, 2026 1:00 PM EDT

Brea, CA, United States

African Neolithic Polished Stone Axe Head / Celt: Africa, Neolithic Period or later. African Neolithic Polished Stone Axe Head / Celt A finely shaped polished stone axe head or celt, carved from a dense, light-colored hardstone with a smooth

Jun 25, 2026African Neolithic Polished Stone Axe Head / Celt

African Sandstone Pestle, Mali: Primitive ancient African smooth and very fine grained sandstone pestle with bulbous flat ends. Probably Tellem peoples grain pounder from the Dogon region of Mali. Size 14 3/8" L, Weight 3 lb. 11.6

Jun 25, 2026African Sandstone Pestle, Mali

African Stone Pestle, Mali: A primitive ancient sandstone pestle, likely originating from the Tellem peoples of the Dogon region in Mali. Carved from exceptionally fine-grained sandstone, this tool features a smooth, well-worn

Jun 25, 2026African Stone Pestle, Mali

Neolithic Grinding stone: Ancient grinding stone carved in a dark grey hardstone with light white speckled flakes. Probably Africa. Slightly enlarged to one end with a well worn lower section that has a wide flat edge. Size

Jun 25, 2026Neolithic Grinding stone

Large Neolithic Grinding Stone, Africa: An impressive and very large Neolithic grinding stone, expertly carved from a dense, dark grey hardstone with distinctive white speckling. Likely used for processing grain, the stone features a

Jun 25, 2026Large Neolithic Grinding Stone, Africa

Abstract Chavin Mace Head, 900-200 BCE: Pre-Columbian, Chavin culture 900-200 BCE. Ceremonial abstract mace head carved from brown stone with a series of heavily spiraled edges. Each deeply carved with 7 disc like flanges around a central

Jun 25, 2026Abstract Chavin Mace Head, 900-200 BCE

Large Pre-Columbian Chavin Stone Mace Head, Peru, ca. 1000?500 BCE: Large Pre-Columbian Chavin Stone Mace Head, Peru, ca. 1000-500 BCE. A substantial carved stone mace head, attributed to the Chavin culture of ancient Peru, circa 1000 - 500 BCE. The object is worked

Jun 25, 2026Large Pre-Columbian Chavin Stone Mace Head, Peru, ca. 1000?500 BCE

West African Terracotta Standing Figure, Bura/Nok Style: West Africa, possibly Niger or Nigeria, in the style of Bura or Nok terracotta figural traditions possibly 500BCE-200CE A slender terracotta male figure of highly stylized form, standing with

Jun 25, 2026West African Terracotta Standing Figure, Bura/Nok Style

Nok Terracotta Female Head, 500CE - 200CE: West Africa, possibly Nigeria, Nok Circa 500 BCE ? 200 CE A finely modeled terracotta female head, the serene face rendered with softly defined almond-shaped eyes, a straight nose, and composed

Jun 25, 2026Nok Terracotta Female Head, 500CE - 200CE

West African Nok-Style Terracotta Head, Mounted: West Africa, likely Nigeria, Nok-style terracotta sculpture possibly of the 500 BCE?200 CE period. A striking terracotta head fragment of elongated form, sensitively modeled with a high rounded

Jun 25, 2026West African Nok-Style Terracotta Head, Mounted

Nok Terracotta Head Fragment, Probably 500 BCE?200 CE: West Africa, likely Nigeria, Nok culture, probably 500 BCE - 200 CE. A terracotta head fragment modeled in rounded form, with recessed slit-form eyes, pierced nostrils, and a small projecting mouth.

Jun 25, 2026Nok Terracotta Head Fragment, Probably 500 BCE?200 CE

Nok Terracotta Head, 500BCE-200CE: West Africa, probably Nigeria, Nok culture, circa 500 BCE ? 200 CE. A finely modeled terracotta head, probably Nok, of elongated cylindrical form, with deeply recessed almond-shaped eyes, a long

Jun 25, 2026Nok Terracotta Head, 500BCE-200CE

Nok-Style Terracotta Head: West Africa, probably Nigeria, Nok culture or later in the Nok style, probably circa 500 BCE?200 CE or later. Terracotta head modeled with a rounded face, deeply recessed circular eyes, a short

Jun 25, 2026Nok-Style Terracotta Head

Indonesian Kris Dagger: Keris Dagger Size 19" L, blade 13 1/4" L. Does not fit entirely into scabbard.

Jun 25, 2026Indonesian Kris Dagger

Indonesian Keris Ceremonial Dagger: The Keris is more than a weapon, it is also a powerful talisman holding spiritual energy. Size 19" L, blade 13 1/2" L

Jun 25, 2026Indonesian Keris Ceremonial Dagger

Traditional Indonesian Kris Dagger: Kris Java Indonesia Size 19 1/2" L, blade 13" L

Jun 25, 2026Traditional Indonesian Kris Dagger

African Jacket Fetish Ornament: African jacket fetish Ornament Comprised of leather. Used to store things with slight embossed repeating designs to the front. Size 3 1/4" L

Jun 25, 2026African Jacket Fetish Ornament

African Stone Mace Head: Very early African stone carved mace head in round form. Neolithic period 4000BCE - 2000BCE. Probably North East Africa. Size 6 1/2" W, Weight 5 lb. 8.2 oz Ex-Tennessee Estate. Family collection of

Jun 25, 2026African Stone Mace Head

Pair of Fine Grained Stone Pestle, Africa: Each carved from a very fine grained tan or light brown stone with patinated surface and flat bulbous ends and one pointed flat end. Probably sandstone. Size 14 7/8" L, Weight 3 lb. 3.2 oz

Jun 25, 2026Pair of Fine Grained Stone Pestle, Africa

Large African Stone Pestle: Large elongated ovoid shaped example of a grey stone pestle with white speckled flakes. Size 12" L, Weight 8 lb. 1.6 oz Ex-Tennessee Estate. Family collection of an esteemed diplomat and ambassador

Jun 25, 2026Large African Stone Pestle

Related Items

LARGE ROMAN STONE PHALLIC IDOL/PESTLE: Ca. 200 BC - AD 100. A large dark stone phallic idol or ritual pestle carved with a long cylindrical shaft and rounded glans. A pale transverse band marks the base of the glans, with fine lines along

Jun 21, 2026LARGE ROMAN STONE PHALLIC IDOL/PESTLE

4 1/8" x 2 3/8" Three Quarter Grooved Axe, Colorful Granite, Adams Co., Illinois, Motley & Leithoff: 4 1/8" x 2 3/8" Three Quarter Grooved Axe, Colorful Granite, Adams Co., Illinois, Motley & Leithoff COA

7 days Left4 1/8" x 2 3/8" Three Quarter Grooved Axe, Colorful Granite, Adams Co., Illinois, Motley & Leithoff

Ancient Mesoamerican Stone Metate: Ancient Mesoamerican Stone Metate. This three legged diagonally slanted object is a traditional grinding stone used by ancient civilizations in Central and South America to process grains, seeds, maiz

Jun 14, 2026Ancient Mesoamerican Stone Metate

African Stone Pestle, Mali: A primitive ancient sandstone pestle, likely originating from the Tellem peoples of the Dogon region in Mali. Carved from exceptionally fine-grained sandstone, this tool features a smooth, well-worn

Jun 25, 2026African Stone Pestle, Mali

Large Neolithic Grinding Stone, Africa: An impressive and very large Neolithic grinding stone, expertly carved from a dense, dark grey hardstone with distinctive white speckling. Likely used for processing grain, the stone features a

Jun 25, 2026Large Neolithic Grinding Stone, Africa

African Neolithic Polished Stone Axe Head / Celt: Africa, Neolithic Period or later. African Neolithic Polished Stone Axe Head / Celt A finely shaped polished stone axe head or celt, carved from a dense, light-colored hardstone with a smooth

Jun 25, 2026African Neolithic Polished Stone Axe Head / Celt

Neolithic Grinding stone: Ancient grinding stone carved in a dark grey hardstone with light white speckled flakes. Probably Africa. Slightly enlarged to one end with a well worn lower section that has a wide flat edge. Size

Jun 25, 2026Neolithic Grinding stone

African Sandstone Pestle, Mali: Primitive ancient African smooth and very fine grained sandstone pestle with bulbous flat ends. Probably Tellem peoples grain pounder from the Dogon region of Mali. Size 14 3/8" L, Weight 3 lb. 11.6

Jun 25, 2026African Sandstone Pestle, Mali

Native American Stone Grinding Stone/Mano: Native American stone grinding stone/ mano. Measures 11" x 2" x 2".

4 days LeftNative American Stone Grinding Stone/Mano

Large African Stone Pestle: Large African stone carved pestle in grey stone with white speckled flakes. Lightly tined to one side with a brown pigment from use. Size 14" L, Weight 9 lb. 1.2 oz Ex-Tennessee Estate. Family

Jun 25, 2026Large African Stone Pestle

Large African Stone Pestle: Large elongated ovoid shaped example of a grey stone pestle with white speckled flakes. Size 12" L, Weight 8 lb. 1.6 oz Ex-Tennessee Estate. Family collection of an esteemed diplomat and ambassador

Jun 25, 2026Large African Stone Pestle

Primitive Nutting Stone / Pestle: 3 1/2"H x 3"W. Exact origins unknown.

Jun 12, 2026Primitive Nutting Stone / Pestle

TOP