This ivory snuff grater is carved with a figure of Venus seated and attended by two cupids. Its made in about 1750 in France, probably Dieppe. On the cover a basket of leaves, flowers and fruit supported on a scallop shell are depicted in relief. Snuff graters such as this were carved in some numbers in Dieppe in the mid-18th century, where there was a tradition of ivory carving, particularly of luxury items. 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; it was thought by some that a regular dose could protect against the plague. The tobacco was grated from a solid tobacco roll known as a 'carotte'. The ivory carving on these rasps is relatively crude, while the subjects depicted, often mythological figures, or exotic ladies, are typical of decorative objects made from a rare and exotic material to be sold as luxury items.