Nutmeg Grater
Workshop of Matthew Linwood, English (Birmingham), 1754 - 1826
Geography:
Made in Birmingham, England, Europe
Date:
1817-1818Medium:
SilverDimensions:
1 × 1 7/16 × 1 3/16 inches (2.5 × 3.7 × 3 cm)Curatorial Department:
European Decorative Arts and SculptureObject Location:
1969-224-379Credit Line:
Alan Dewees Wood Collection, 1969
Made in Birmingham, England, Europe
Date:
1817-1818Medium:
SilverDimensions:
1 × 1 7/16 × 1 3/16 inches (2.5 × 3.7 × 3 cm)Curatorial Department:
European Decorative Arts and SculptureObject Location:
Currently not on view
Accession Number:1969-224-379Credit Line:
Alan Dewees Wood Collection, 1969
Label:
In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, nutmeg was considered a stimulant as well as an aid to digestion and was added to a variety of foods and drinks. Beginning around 1780, it became fashionable to carry one’s own nutmeg to spice up beverages such as mulled wine. Silversmiths, some of whom specialized in producing nutmeg graters, responded by introducing a range of inventive shapes, like this example.
In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, nutmeg was considered a stimulant as well as an aid to digestion and was added to a variety of foods and drinks. Beginning around 1780, it became fashionable to carry one’s own nutmeg to spice up beverages such as mulled wine. Silversmiths, some of whom specialized in producing nutmeg graters, responded by introducing a range of inventive shapes, like this example.
