Gorgeous Antique Shaker-Style Turned Wooden Bowl with Handle (Mortar or Measuring Cup) zodiac tray used for shaping sheet metal

used for shaping sheet metal

as the top and bottom left corners of the sheet are slightly bent

I love him just sitting around among a collection of other brass boxes

though I am not entirely certain of its maker

Gorgeous Antique Shaker-Style Turned Wooden Bowl with Handle (Mortar or Measuring Cup) zodiac tray used for shaping sheet metalSuch a beauty! This is a stunning antique Shaker style turned wood bowl with threaded handle, the likeness of which I have seen described as an apothecary mortar for preparing herbs and as a measuring cup, both of which make perfect sense. Because it is so beautiful, I would probably not use as pestle on it, but might rather be inclined to keep on a butcher block or tray in the kitchen, filled with sea salt or fresh herbs of which I might take a pinch