Brass Nutmeg Grinder Appraisal

Vintage Brass Cylinder Nutmeg Grinder

This is a vintage manual spice grinder, specifically designed for whole nutmeg. The item is constructed primarily from brass and steel, featuring a distinctive cylindrical body and a hand-crank mechanism. The grinder consists of two main parts: a hollow cylindrical base finished in a darkened, aged brass patina, and a removable top assembly. This top assembly includes a dome-shaped cap with a knurled edge for grip, which houses the internal screw-drive mechanism. A hand crank with a turned brass handle sits atop the dome. Internally, a heavy-duty steel spring surrounds a central threaded rod, which pushes the nutmeg against a grating plate at the base as the handle is turned. The exterior shows typical signs of age, including significant surface oxidation, micro-scratches, and a deep chocolate-toned bronze patina indicative of early to mid-20th-century manufacture. The fine threading on the cylinder indicates precise machining and quality craftsmanship intended for frequent domestic use. There are no obvious maker's marks visible in the image, but the design is consistent with European or American kitchenalia from the early 1900s. The condition appears functional, though the metal shows surface wear consistent with its age and utilitarian history.