Snuff Grater
ca. 1700 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This box has a hinged lid and two compartments. A block of compressed powdered snuff would have been kept in the smaller one, while the larger compartment, fitted with a perforated grater, would have held the grated snuff powder. The tightly closing lid is essential for keeping snuff dry. Loose powdered snuff was usually kept in a hinged box with a single compartment. In the home snuff was kept in bottles and jars.
Source
From the 1620s tobacco was usually imported to England from the North American Colonies, especially Virginia. The spices came from the East Indies, imported by the Dutch and English East India Companies.
Ownership & Use
A block of compressed powdered snuff would be grated into a fine powder, which was pinched between the fingers and inhaled. Originally used for medicinal purposes, snuff-taking became fully established as a pleasurable, social custom by 1700. It was taken primarily by men, and throughout the 18th century, increasingly, by women. This lid is engraved with the monogram 'HE' for the Edmonds family of Yorkshire, and with the family crest of a three-masted ship in full sail.
This box has a hinged lid and two compartments. A block of compressed powdered snuff would have been kept in the smaller one, while the larger compartment, fitted with a perforated grater, would have held the grated snuff powder. The tightly closing lid is essential for keeping snuff dry. Loose powdered snuff was usually kept in a hinged box with a single compartment. In the home snuff was kept in bottles and jars.
Source
From the 1620s tobacco was usually imported to England from the North American Colonies, especially Virginia. The spices came from the East Indies, imported by the Dutch and English East India Companies.
Ownership & Use
A block of compressed powdered snuff would be grated into a fine powder, which was pinched between the fingers and inhaled. Originally used for medicinal purposes, snuff-taking became fully established as a pleasurable, social custom by 1700. It was taken primarily by men, and throughout the 18th century, increasingly, by women. This lid is engraved with the monogram 'HE' for the Edmonds family of Yorkshire, and with the family crest of a three-masted ship in full sail.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver, engraved, with steel grating plate |
| Brief description | Silver, English |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Crest and monogram |
| Gallery label |
|
| Credit line | Given by J. H. Fitzhenry |
| Object history | Made in England |
| Summary | Object Type This box has a hinged lid and two compartments. A block of compressed powdered snuff would have been kept in the smaller one, while the larger compartment, fitted with a perforated grater, would have held the grated snuff powder. The tightly closing lid is essential for keeping snuff dry. Loose powdered snuff was usually kept in a hinged box with a single compartment. In the home snuff was kept in bottles and jars. Source From the 1620s tobacco was usually imported to England from the North American Colonies, especially Virginia. The spices came from the East Indies, imported by the Dutch and English East India Companies. Ownership & Use A block of compressed powdered snuff would be grated into a fine powder, which was pinched between the fingers and inhaled. Originally used for medicinal purposes, snuff-taking became fully established as a pleasurable, social custom by 1700. It was taken primarily by men, and throughout the 18th century, increasingly, by women. This lid is engraved with the monogram 'HE' for the Edmonds family of Yorkshire, and with the family crest of a three-masted ship in full sail. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1348-1902 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
