About this lot

Description

A George III silver nutmeg grater, maker's mark indistinct, possibly by Susannah Barker, London 1786, of navette form, the fully marked hinged cover with a border of bright cut engraving opens to reveal the steel rasp, the plain body with a single border of bright cut engraving, the underside bordered by bright cut engraving, and with two engraved cross bands, one disguising a concealed hinge allowing access to the interior for storage of the nutmeg seed and collection of the powder, 1.3ozt 2 x 5.50 x 3.50cm (1 x 2 x 1in)
Other Notes: Nutmeg became popular in the 17th and 18th centuries among the upper class when it was added to alcoholic beverages, such as punch, "cyder," pale wines and ales and at that time it was the fashion for men to carry nutmeg in a pocket-sized silver container equipped with a steel grater in order to add freshly grated nutmeg to their drinks wherever they may be. Adding nutmeg to their drinks was not just to enhance the flavour; in quantity it is a mild hallucinogenic, hence the expression 'to spice up a party'!

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