During the Qing Dynasty, kicking a stone ball around was a popular game in the northern part of China, and it was often played in winter to keep warm.

The hand - strong enough to hold a 14-stone load - is also so versatile that Matthew can grip a pen to draw pictures and write, tie his shoe LACES and catch a ball.

It's a big pestle, it stands just over a foot tall (about 35 cm), and the business end is a stone bulb, about the size of a cricket ball, and you can feel that it's been much used.