One of the most exciting things to discover is a work of art that has more than one function. The mortars and metates of Ancient Costa Rica are just such objects that have a utilitarian purpose, as well as being tools of propaganda. People today still grind corn and other foods on hard volcanic stone. The mortar, such as this delightful and lovely example, is perfectly designed to sit next to and use comfortably. While using it a person would have been aware that is was made for an important individual of the elite classes, and reminded of the fact it was the nobility who kept the land free from invasion and the food plentiful. The jaguar was specifically chosen as an animal highly respected and feared, a symbol of the night sun in the underworld and king of the rain forest. He is covered in beautiful designs, like ritual tattooing, as is the underside of the bowl itself. This mortar may have been part of a wealthy person's household goods, and later interred with him in his burial chamber to be used in the afterlife. As such it needed to be suitable for both worlds, representing the proud work of a master sculptor and the proud achievement of a great nobleman.