A traditional Arabic carved wooden coffee grinder or mihbash, including a base and pestle. The base is carved in relief with birds and foliage and with four arches containing further birds. With brass bosses on the sides and top, and a white metal collar at the opening surrounded by a seven-pointed star with decorated borders.

A mihbash is an Arab symbol of nobility, leadership and generosity because only tribal leaders could traditionally afford to serve coffee, which was expensive. Coffee beans were crushed by specialist grinders and the sound of the mihbash, which carried easily over long distances, was an indication that a feast was soon to begin. It was also used to sound the presence of danger