Marble Mortar

This small marble mortar tells a sweet story.

It was used to grind pleasant-smelling things. One was sandalwood, a wood with a warm smell. Another was misk, also called musk. Amber was used too.

After the herbs and scents were ground, they were made into special tablets called kus. These tablets were burned slowly. Their smoke filled the house chamber with a good smell.

In the palace, smell was part of daily life. A clean and sweet-smelling room felt calm, fresh, and welcoming. This simple stone mortar helped make that quiet beauty possible.