This wonderful basalt mortar depicts an image of a jaguar carrying a small bowl on its back. The sculptor of the mortar successfully created a continuity of the form by connecting the jaguar's tail to the bowl. Jaguar, the most revered and worshiped entity in Ancient Meso-America, is adorned with incised geometric patterns on the body and a diamond-shaped enhancement on top of the head. Its mouth is open to show finely sculpted teeth. The marvelous mortar perhaps had an important function, such as being used in rituals and ceremonies, or used for grinding mortar or other magical substances. Carried on back of a jaguar, which is usually depicted as a powerful god, the substance that was in the bowl must have been very important and significant. As we look at the jaguar mortar, we imagine the Ancient world that produced such beautiful sculpture, and appreciate its visual aesthetic and functional purpose.