RESEARCH DATA:

Cordillera basketworks appear in many forms. Many traditional objects from the Cordillera, such as rice containers, bags, pouches, carrying baskets, and even utilitarian items like kitchen utensils, were crafted using the local basketry tradition. This item from the collection is an example of inido, a small pestle used for crushing, grinding, and blending spices, herbs, and other ingredients. It is made of heavy brass and covered with woven rattan basketwork, shaped to form a handle. While it contributes to the object's aesthetic, the basketwork also serves a functional purpose, as seen on this pestle, where it enhances the grip during use.