Large Kitchen Grater, ca. 1900.

Cast-iron kitchen grinder with fixing grip made of in Germany in the early 10th century. It is a quality piece, quite big in size and that preserves all its original components and pieces. The grinder is in good condition and is a highly decorative item that boasts a profusely decorated surface with hand-engraved filigree and embossed motives. The mechanism is made of metal sheet and the piece designed to push the food inside the grinder is made of solid beech wood. The cranks handle is also made of this kind of wood.The iron frame, solid and robust, is finished with dark red enamel. This finish is quite well preserved and still shows some traces of the golden paint used to enhance the embossed motives. The grip that fixes the device to the worktop is located behind an iron mask depicting a bearded man under the inscription TRITON. This mask is attached to the rest of the grinder through two iron elements shaped like morays or tritons, with wavy scaled bodies and open jaws. The crank is also shaped like one of these animals. The top of the grinder that hides the grinding cylinder is a flower-shaped medal with six petals, each one with an embossed scallop inside.Over the iron frame we can see a rectangular box made of metal sheet. This box bears the embossed inscription Varietas at one of its sides. The box is designed to enter the products to be grinded, that must be pushed inside with the wooden piece. When the user turns the crank, the cylinder with the blades grinds the food. The resulting product falls from the back of the grinder into a container located on the table. It is a very simple and ingenious device that is currently as functional as when it was designed.This vintage grinders decorative power and functionality turn it into a charming and very interesting piece.