Pestle, of two-part construction, porphyry and a conglomerate, Agra India, 19th century

A pestle of two-part construction, with a flat-ended handle of oval cross-section tapering down to a mushroom-shaped tip. The end of the handle is made of porphyry (dark purple with small white flecks) that has been inset, via a v-shaped notch, into the shaft and tip made of a conglomerate of rounded pebbles (yellowish brown perimeter with a dark brown core) that are set in a matrix of fine, paler-coloured grains in a dark brown "cement". A lightly polished finish has been applied.

This pestle was acquired by William Tayler during his time in India (1829-1867). He subsequently sold it to the South Kensington Museum in 1874 for the sum of 5 shillings.

William Tayler was educated in England at Charterhouse and also spent a term at Christ Church, Oxford. He entered service with the East India Company on 30th April 1829, arriving in India in October of the same year. He held various posts in Bengal and was appointed Commissioner of Patna in 1855. During his service, he was able to acquire many objects, including hardstones, relating to the customs and religions of India as well as objects from other parts of South Asia.
He was criticised for his handling of the uprisings in Northern India and was moved to a lesser post before being suspended, ultimately resigning on 29th March 1859. He then practised as an advocate in the law courts of Bengal before returning to England in 1867.
He wrote a book about his experiences, entitled Thirty-eight Years in India, in which he states that "After my return to England, circumstances induced me, though with great reluctance, to part with the collection which is now in the South Kensington Museum".

Many utilitarian objects have been made from the durable hardstones that are found in India, with many skilled workers available to produce such objects in significant quantity.

683-1874