This heavily-potted stoneware mortar is carved with ribs around the exterior, resembling a cog. It is covered with a dense, darkly-brown glaze that thins at the extremities of the ribs to reveal a buff body beneath. At the same time, the glaze pools to thick drops around the base. Vessels of such form were sometimes thought to have been used as a bowl for offerings. However, the heaviness of this example indicates it was most probably used as a mortar, possibly for the preparation of food or medicinal ingredients.
