Snuff Grater
ca. 1750 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This ivory snuff rasp is carved in the form of a French lawyer of the period and was probably made in Dieppe in about 1750. The figure wears a long wide-sleeved gown with a large collar, full bottomed wig, with long lappets and a biretta.
A snuff rasp was used like a nutmeg grater for grating dried tobacco into snuff. A perforated metal section was fixed inside the ivory cover for grating. Snuff taking was a popular pastime in France for the wealthy and fashionable. There was the rumour that a regular dose of snuff would protect against the plague. The tobacco was grated from the solid tobacco roll known as a "carotte".
The ivory carving on these rasps is often rather crude, while the subjects depicted, often mythological figures, or exotic ladies, are typical of decorative objects made from a rare and costly material to be sold as luxury good.
A snuff rasp was used like a nutmeg grater for grating dried tobacco into snuff. A perforated metal section was fixed inside the ivory cover for grating. Snuff taking was a popular pastime in France for the wealthy and fashionable. There was the rumour that a regular dose of snuff would protect against the plague. The tobacco was grated from the solid tobacco roll known as a "carotte".
The ivory carving on these rasps is often rather crude, while the subjects depicted, often mythological figures, or exotic ladies, are typical of decorative objects made from a rare and costly material to be sold as luxury good.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved ivory with remains of metal mounts |
| Brief description | Snuff grater, carved in the form of a French lawyer of the period, France (probably Dieppe), ca. 1750 |
| Physical description | Snuff rasp of ivory, carved in the form of a French lawyer of the period. The body is hollowed out behind to form a semi-circular trough, the edges of which are grooved to hold the metal grater ( missing); at the upper end of the trough a hole passes through the head to the top of the biretta where it was originally closed by a stopper (now missing); while the other end was closed by a piece of ivory rivetted on (also missing). The figure wears a long wide-sleeved gown with large collar, full-bottomed wig and long lappets, and a biretta. Over the bent right fore-arm is a document inscribed. The left arm is pendent, and in the hands are two coins. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'APOINTE/MENT. OR/DINAIRE'
(the meaning of these words is obscure) |
| Credit line | Given by J.H Fitzhenry, Esq. in 1902 |
| Object history | Given by J.H. Fitzhenry Esq., 25 Queen Anne’s Gate, London S.W. in 1902. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This ivory snuff rasp is carved in the form of a French lawyer of the period and was probably made in Dieppe in about 1750. The figure wears a long wide-sleeved gown with a large collar, full bottomed wig, with long lappets and a biretta. A snuff rasp was used like a nutmeg grater for grating dried tobacco into snuff. A perforated metal section was fixed inside the ivory cover for grating. Snuff taking was a popular pastime in France for the wealthy and fashionable. There was the rumour that a regular dose of snuff would protect against the plague. The tobacco was grated from the solid tobacco roll known as a "carotte". The ivory carving on these rasps is often rather crude, while the subjects depicted, often mythological figures, or exotic ladies, are typical of decorative objects made from a rare and costly material to be sold as luxury good. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1421-1902 |
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| Record created | June 10, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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