Rare 18th Century Tobacco Grater Silver Mounted Beggar Decor. Dieppe, 18th.

18th century tobacco grater with carved decoration.

The grater is oblong in shape, slightly pear-shaped. The lid is carved in low relief with a beggar with a wooden leg, wearing a large feathered hat. He has his arm in a sling and uses a stick as a crutch. A bowl for alms is placed in front of him. In the upper part the sky is covered with threatening clouds.

The lower part serves as a receptacle for the grated tobacco, a shell at the end serves as an outlet for this tobacco.

The hinge is in solid silver, not hallmarked but acid tested.

This is an 18th century work, most likely from Dieppe.

It is a beautiful object, witness to the rise of tobacco in the 18th century, finely carved.

16cm long
4.5 cm wide at most

Average condition. In particular, there is a slot in the bottom of the receptacle and a small one in the lid to the left of the hinge. The metal grater is missing. The appearance is grainy in places, perhaps an old cleaning with an aggressive product? The lid curves upwards but this is discreet if the grater is presented open in a display case.


Hand-delivered in Paris or sent by insured colissimo.
France: 15€
Europe: 20€
World: 35€