Antique Bilston Nutmeg Grater, ca 1780
Our Notes
This egg-shaped nutmeg grater screams Georgian England! Small enamel boxes served a variety of purposes, including storing snuff, patches, tobacco, and even nutmeg, all of which were popularly used in the 18th century. It may seem rather strange by today’s standard that a nutmeg grater would have such a fancy container, but 200 years ago the Dutch were importing it from Indonesia, and it garnered a very high price for allegedly curing ailments and spicing drinks. So desirable was the spice that people attempted to forge it, by using carved wood to pass as the real thing. Charles Dickens even carried a nutmeg grater in his pocket.
This box, made in Bilston, England, has a very wry sentiment on its lid: Esteem the Giver, giving a very tongue-and-cheek reminder to the recipient. Emily loves this box for its backstory and cheeky message. A perfect gift for any occasion!
England, ca 1780
Measurements, Materials & Care
Care
As our jewelry is worn, patinas will evolve, further personalizing them to each collector. Due to the nature of foiled jewelry, care should be taken in order to keep Larkspur & Hawk jewelry from becoming harmed. A few tips:
- Remove jewelry when applying lotions, soaps and perfume
- Remove jewelry before immersing hands in cleaning solvents or liquids
- Please note that oxidation may eventually wear off of rings, then return naturally
Shipping & Returns
Larkspur & Hawk offers shoppers to receive and live with their new pieces. If for any reason you are less than thrilled with a purchase, it may be returned for a full refund, unless marked as final sale. To qualify, merchandise must be postmarked within 14 days of the customer’s receipt and be in the items’ original and unused condition. All returns must include the original receipt. Larkspur & Hawk is not responsible for items lost during shipping.
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