Antique French Marble Mortar, 19th Century
Description
Provence, France | c. 1850–1900
Long before the food processor entered the chat, this was the kitchen MVP.
Hand-carved from solid French marble, this antique mortar spent well over a century crushing herbs, spices, garlic, and whatever dinner required that day. Today, it has officially retired from kitchen duty and been promoted to sculpture.
The softly worn marble, generous proportions, and beautifully rounded ears give it the kind of presence only genuine working objects acquire over decades of use. Every softened edge tells the story of thousands of meals prepared by hand—something no reproduction has quite figured out how to fake.
One of those rare pieces that somehow feels equally at home in a centuries-old farmhouse or a brand-new kitchen.
Excellent Antique Condition.
With age-appropriate wear. Beautiful natural patina throughout the marble with no structural cracks or repairs. Surface wear consistent with over a century of use.
Dimensions: 8" Diameter × 4¼" H
Weights: 7.5lbs
Domestic Shipping
All items are shipped within 3 - 7 business days of purchase. Each order is packed with care and shipped via USPS, UPS, or Fedex.
For more information, please refer to shop's shipping policy.
Return/Exchanges
All sales are final once an order is placed.
Due to the unique nature of our products, we unfortunately do not offer any returns, exchanges or refunds. By Mae is not responsible for any lost or stolen items once an order is handed to the shipping carrier. If your package is stolen or missing, we will send you a link where you can file a claim with the corresponding shipping company.
Additional info
Location
Sourced in Provence, France.
Styling
Originally made for crushing herbs.
Today? We'd vote for absolutely anything except hiding it in a cabinet.
Style it:
- on a kitchen countertop beside stacked antique cutting boards
- filled with garlic, lemons, or fresh herbs
- on open shelving alongside ironstone and copper
- on a coffee table holding matches or collected objects
- completely empty, because sometimes the object is the decoration.
Think of it as kitchen sculpture that just happens to have a former career.
Repairs
No repairs have been made to this piece.
Frequently asked questions
You ask we answer!
What are the descriptions of item's conditions?
EXCELLENT: Basically brand new—it's like the item never even had a life before you! No signs of wear, use, or washing. If there’s a flaw hiding somewhere, we'll spill the beans in the description.
VERY GOOD: Looks like it’s barely been touched. A few minor signs of love, but still in prime vintage condition. Any little quirks? We’ll tell you all about them in the description.
GOOD: This item has lived a little, but it’s still rocking it. Expect some fading, light stains, or a bit of piling, but it’s got plenty of life left. Any noticeable quirks? You’ll find them in the description, we promise.
Do you disclaim repairs done to items?
Any notable flaws or repairs will be noted under item's condition.
Where do you source your items from?
We source from all over the world - from North America to Europe to Asia.
Authentication of Designer items?
By Mae maintains a 100% authenticity policy on all designer items. All of our designer products are pre-authenticated and sourced from only trusted and reliable vendors locally, nationally or internationally.
If you have questions regarding a purchased item, please contact info@maehello.com.
Original Antique & Vintage Paintings?
All of our paintings are genuine antique and vintage oil masterpieces, complete with their original frames. If any repairs have been made—whether to the artwork or the frame—or if the frame has been swapped out or touched up, you’ll find all the details in the product description. And if the painting is a replica of the original, we’ll make sure to clue you in on that too. We believe in full transparency—no art secrets here!
