Pestle
Unknown Artist
ca. 3rd–7th century CE
Medium
Limestone, black
Dimensions
6.26 in. (15.9 cm)
Classification
Stone-Implements
Culture & Period
Sasanian · Sasanian
Department
Ancient Near Eastern Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1936
Accession Number
36.30.1
Art Historical Context
Step into the world of the Sasanian Empire with this elegant pestle, crafted from striking black limestone around the 3rd–7th century. Hailing from ancient Iran, this handheld tool—measuring just 6.26 inches (15.9 cm)—was a staple in daily life, used alongside a mortar to grind grains, spices, pigments, or medicines. Its smooth, ergonomic form reveals the skilled stoneworking of Sasanian artisans who transformed utilitarian objects into refined pieces through careful carving and polishing. The Sasanians ruled a vast realm from Mesopotamia to Central Asia, blending Persian traditions with infl...