59/1

This nutcracker is of the lever type with a hinge mechanism. It is made of boxwood and carved all over with various patterns, including a face and hearts. It is stamped on the front with ‘1789’ and ‘Sarah’. It was initially believed to be French but this has later been questioned, and it has been suggested that it may be English.

1 lever nutcracker: boxwood; good condition- broken lower jaw

MERL ‘Associated information’ form – ‘Name of Object: NUTCRACKERS // Age…: 1709 // Name and address of present owner: [...] Dorking, Surrey // Description of use to which it was put…: [pencil sketch] Probably French [insert] disputable - could be English MDF [end insert], made of wood. Slight fault at mouth. Carved all over.’, MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Standard museum name: NUTCRACKER // Accession number: 59/1 // Classification: DOMESTIC preparing food // Negative number: 60/2766 // Acquisition method: Gift // Acquired from, date: [...] DORKING, SURREY // Store: small object // Condition: good - slightly broken in the jaws // Recorder, date: JMB 15.9.97 // Description: Beautifully made carved wooden crackers with hinge mechanism. Decoration consists of a face, heart, and other patterns and lines. Inscription: Date stamped on front 1789 // Name: Sarah // Dimensions: Length: 13.0 cm width: 3.0 cm// Associated information: This nutcracker was said by the first recorder to be French but other opinions say it could be English // References:', MERL miscellaneous note - 'Identified by Adam Schoon as an English cracker. The nose on the head of French crackers are flat and on English crackers are pronounced. 04.12.2012'

1789 - 1789