56/387

These sugar cutters were found in an old house in Devon. Until the introduction of cube sugar in the second half of the nineteenth century, sugar was only available in large lumps or cones and cutters were used for cutting off smaller pieces for table use.

1 pair of sugar cutters: metal (iron); good condition

MERL 'Catalogue index' card [56/387] – 'These sugar cutters are made of iron and have an engraved pattern on the flat surface where the jaws hinge. They measure 8 1/2 inches in length. THere is a catch to hold the handles together and a spike 1 1/4 inches long to guard the knuckles of the user. The cutters were found in an old house in Devonshire. // see 51/543L.', MERL 'Catalogue index' card [51/543L]– 'Sugar cutters were used before the introduction of cube sugar in the second half of the nineteenth century to break up loaf sugar into pieces suitable for table use. The loaf was a circular cone about 14 inches at the base by 36 inches in height. // Lindsay (Iron and Brass Implements of the English House) says, “These were made on the principle of pliers, the jaws being almost circular and having a sharp blade at the end of each, they could be manipulated by one hand, as the jaws were forced open by a spring upon unfastening a catch at the end of the handles. To prevent the knuckles coming into violent contact with the table, a spike or distance piece was attached to the outside of one handle”...'