Antique Carved Burl Wood Nutmeg Grinder; Primitive Wooden Spice Grater, Pepper Mill

If you like primitives, you'll love this incredible, antique, nutmeg grinder! Hand carved from a single piece of wood, this early kitchen gadget has an incredible burl wood grain, not to mention its whimsical, folksy design! It's much like a mortar and pestle with the exception of pieces of punched tin on the underside of the removable top piece and inside the hollow bottom portion. When whole pieces of nutmeg or any other spice are placed inside, the top piece (pestle) is put inside and turned back and forth while applying a little pressure. The punched tin pieces grate up the spice into a powder which can be poured out a thin opening carved into the side of the bottom part (mortar) of the grinder. It's a wonderful, rudimentary tool that is as gorgeous as it is useful! It has a fabulous, one of a kind look with lots of carving detail. It dates from the 19th Century and has a super patina and nice signs of age. It appears the tin pieces were replaced at some point and we used some orange oil but otherwise, its original and in excellent shape. It stands 7 inches tall and is 3 inches at its widest point. Add some rustic, primitive charm to your kitchen with this great nutmeg grinder!