BLUE & WHITE MOTTLED STONEWARE MORTAR & PESTLE

Updated September 24, 2026

Lot number	24
Category	Pottery, China & Glass
Auction	Round #2 ~ CENTREVILLE, MISSISSIPPI Van Cleave Family ESTATE
Date	October 1, 2026 at 6:00 PM CDT
Auction house	Bell Remnants
Location	McComb, Mississippi

AVAILABLE for SHIPPING or LOCAL PICKUP > Offered as a substantial -2- piece stoneware mortar and pestle set in the manner of those produced by Bennington pottery, finished in a richly mottled blue and white glaze. The mortar stands 3.25 inches tall and measures 3.5 inches in diameter across the upper rim, with a gently rounded body and extended pouring lip incorporated into the form. The matching pestle measures 4.25 inches long and is finished in the same blue and white mottled glaze. Together, weighing a substantial 1.25 pounds. Mortar and pestle sets have been used for thousands of years, with examples known from ancient civilizations where they served to crush grains, herbs, spices, medicines and other ingredients by hand. The simple design has remained remarkably effective, allowing ingredients to be ground, bruised or blended while preserving texture and releasing natural oils and aromas. Mortars and pestles remain widely used by chefs and home cooks today for preparing spice blends, grinding peppercorns and seeds, crushing garlic and herbs, making pesto, guacamole and curry pastes, and handling other kitchen tasks where greater control over texture is preferred to electric processing. The irregular blue and white glaze movement creates a strong visual surface treatment across both pieces and contributes to the Bennington inspired character of the set. CONDITION REPORT > A notably well preserved example.

BLUE & WHITE MOTTLED STONEWARE MORTAR & PESTLE

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