Snuff Grater
ca. 1750 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This part of an ivory snuff grater representing Poseidon and Galatea was made in about 1750 in France, probably Dieppe.
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 | Ivory |
| Brief description | Snuff grater, rasp cover, ivory, Poseidon and Galatea, French (probably Dieppe), ca. 1750 |
| Physical description | Part of an ivory snuff grater representing Poseidon and Galatea. Both are embracing amidst the waves. Galatea is fully clothed, and Poseidon half naked. A winged putto holds a trident at the side, whilst above another winged putto is flies overhead, holding a flaming heart. A basket of flowers is also shown above, and decorative foliate work is carved below. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Given by Mrs Ellen Hearn, Villa St Louis, Menton in 1923; this and other objects presented at the same time were labelled as the Alfred Williams Hearn gift. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This part of an ivory snuff grater representing Poseidon and Galatea was made in about 1750 in France, probably Dieppe. 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 | CIRC.489-1923 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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