SOUTH AFRICA
WOOD, HEIGHT 42 CM

Although this is not a cultural art object, it needs to have a prominent place in any collection. There is nothing more symbolic of life in rural Africa than the rythmical thumping of wooden pestles.

I found this one on a trip in nortern South Africa. The outside looks as rough and worn as the lower leg of an 80 year old bull elephant, while the inside is smooth as velvet from years of rubbing and thumping.