Central Asia, Iran / Afghanistan region, Bactrian culture, ca. 2nd to 1st millennium BCE. A stone paint / cosmetic palette or mortar with pieces of dried red and yellow ochre pigments - the largest red piece is a modern pigment based on the zinc content. The dense stone vessel has a raised rim encircling the basin and shallow well depressions in the center - almost fingertip shaped, perhaps for storing and applying cosmetics or ointments. Ochre is a type of clay which contains varying amounts of iron oxide, limonite, or hematite that creates the various brown, red, and yellow hues and the dehydrated pieces could be crushed and mixed with a liquid to create paint for cosmetics or artistic purposes. Size of dish: 6" Diameter x 1.25" H (15.2 cm x 3.2 cm)

Provenance: private Reinsmoen collection, Clear Lake, Iowa, USA, acquired through descent from Robert Anderson, acquired prior to 2000

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#185787

Mortar is intact and excellent. Surface is pitted with polished areas from use. Light mineral deposits. The largest red pigment is modern and not ancient. The yellow and other pigment shards are of unknown age / origin, but nicely demonstrate the possible use of the mortar.