Snuff Grater
ca. 1750 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This ivory snuff grater was made in France, probably Dieppe in about 1700-1730. 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".
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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Materials and techniques | Ivory and metal mounts; string |
Brief description | Snuff grater, ivory, lady in costume, French (probalby Dieppe), ca. 1700-1730. |
Physical description | Ivory snuff grater in the form of a lady in costume depicted standing on a shell. |
Dimensions |
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Credit line | 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. |
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. |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | This ivory snuff grater was made in France, probably Dieppe in about 1700-1730. 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". |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | CIRC.488-1923 |
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Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
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