Mortar & Pestle Slope-sided A mortar & pestle with a minimalist, almost Japanese, look. Originally made for one of the retail giants, the slope-sided mortar is dark blue glazed ceramic with an unglazed interior, ribbed for better grinding action, 5-1/2" across the top x 1-3/4" tall. The 7" x approx 1" dia beech wood pestle sports a leather cord. Great for seeds, nuts, herbs and spices, but not for lab use.