How old is this mortar?

So I purchased two mortars recently. One is stone and over 200lbs found in the woods of MA, presumably left centuries ago by an Native American tribe. The other much lighter, made of wood, possibly not even technically an antique. Hoping for some help on the second one. It appears to have some slight wear indicating slight use. Doesn’t seem to have been used a ton so probably not “antique”. Guessing it was made to look like a primitive piece. I could be totally wrong and it could be pretty old though. I would love some opinions.

 

Additional photos
IMG]http://i67.tinypic.com/2gsiukn.jpg[/IMG]

 

pics of base please.....and what size is it?

 

Hi there is a photo of the base above the photo of the inside. The link didn’t embed for some reason so you will need to click on it. I’ll see if it will embed here. I’m thinking it’s like 1-1.5ft tall.

 

will need to click on it......
Ummm...we here like pics...and are not fond of clicking on links ....

but the pic showed up.....so that's good.
from those rings i'd think it's a hard wood.....and fashioned from what's known as core wood.
if it was used as a mortar.....i'd expect the rim to show more wear than it has.....
Humm...a mystery !!

 

and it looks like it was turned on a lathe........???

 

Yes the bottom looks good but the lack of wear looks bad. The outside also has a nice shiny finish but looks kind of worn underneath the lacquer or stain or whatever is on it. It a mystery to me. It looked good enough to buy ($4) but then when I got it home I started wondering if I should have left it. Maybe a well made “tribute” kind of piece? I don’t know, maybe more opinions tomorrow will help.

Btw I also like pics I just couldn’t get that sucker to embed for some reason the first time.

 

it came thru.....no harm...no foul !

hey...at 4 bucks..... it's an easy lesson.....and a sweet piece....

folks will jump in tomorrow....with helpful opinions.....

 

Thanks! For $4 it’s cool either way like you said. This is my first post here. Have lots of stuff I would like to know more about so it won’t be the last!

 

pick the proper FORUM......and have at it mate !!!
Lots of Mass. members here.
Go to INTRODUCTIONS...& tell us what u like...and what likes U !!!!!

 

Btw I was off on my guess. The mortar is 8” tall and about 4.5” in diameter.

 

good........that'll help !!

 

Welcome J Dagger.

I don't think so, if that was the intention it didn't work. It could not look more lathe-turned if it tried. Nicely turned and decorated that way too, with those very evenly spaced rings.
This one wouldn't have been used as a mortar, but I'd love to see the other one.

 

Well shows how much I know. I didn’t realize that being made on a lathe was a bad thing but it makes sense now that I think about it.


This one not lathe turned I’m quite sure

 

Not bad, just not primitive.

 

Well right. Not primitive, not old, so for me not good, as I wasn’t just looking for decoration per say.

 

your thoughts on it from the get go.....were consistent with our opinions.....

still...it doesn't look new..!

 

Haha yeh I suppose that’s true too. Any guesses on when it may be from anyone? Do we think it would have just been made as a decorative “tribute” type piece?

 

could it have been a drinking vessel ?