upper surface 13 u2032 thereof is recessed by approximately u215b of an inch from the upper surface of the raised peripheral lip 17 it will be understood however that the amount of recess could be varied by those skilled in the art as with the first mortarboard embodiment the thickness of the second mortarboard embodiment 10 u2032 can vary to meet the desired structural needs thereof and would most preferably range from between about 0 5 inches to 0 75 inches it will be appreciated that the intended use for the mortarboard configurations of this invention is for such mortarboards to be placed upon a support surface such that the bottom of the mortarboard engages the support surface and the upper surfaces 13 and 13 u2032 face upwardly so as to accommodate the acceptance of a charge of mortar cementitious or other such product thereon the invention further contemplates the use of a support stand configured to retainably hold and elevate the mortarboard in elevated position relative to a lower support surface in such case the bottom portion of the mortarboard may be configured to include reinforced areas for retainably accepting and matably engaging with such a support stand such support stands may be of varied configurations such as three or four legged structures and could be collapsible in nature fig8 illustrates such a support stand the support stand 22 shown in fig8 includes two pairs of cross pivoted legs connected together through the pivot point the top of each leg fits into an opening.