Nutmeg Grater

1797

A nutmeg grater (English, London, dated 1797) made of silver by Thomas Philips and Edward Robinson. The grater is decorated in an overall pierced and sunburst pattern, radiating from a central octagonal cartouche. A plain band with a center pierced line accents the rectangular form and rounded corners of the box. Both sides of the piece feature hinged lids, one of which opens onto a compartment to keep whole nutmeg while the other side opens to reveal a grater. Stamped into both lids are a series of four marks: a maker’s mark for Thomas Philips and Edward Robinson, a duty mark of George III, the passant lion of England, and finally a date stamp of “B”, marking the piece as being made in 1797.

London

silver

0.75" x 1.5" x 0.875"

Gift of Mrs. Alletta Smith Cooper, 2003

PSNC.10331