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Curiosity Cabinet

February 4, 2010

Mystery Object #1

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This one isn't that hard. Clue: Samuel Pepys may have carried one in his pocket. Answers in the comments please.

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about 2 years ago Lucy Inglis responded:

Lucy Inglis

Oops, sorry, it's about an inch and a half across, or roughly the size of a large walnut.

about 2 years ago cailinos (Twitter) responded:

A box in which to store his STONE

about 2 years ago adeteal (Twitter) responded:

Adrian_normal

That's a vinaigrette, I believe. Small pieces of natural sponge were soaked in perfume, and kept therein. It was used to mask the whiff of the city streets.

about 2 years ago thebrassbunny (Twitter) responded:

snuff box or salt/pepper shaker.

about 2 years ago cailinos (Twitter) responded:

Ah of course, what adeteal said...containing anti-plague whiffy essences in a sponge??

about 2 years ago janetravers (Twitter) responded:

Tweettreats_cover_image_high_quality_normal

Probably utterly nuts, but it looks a mini cheese grater - for his beloved parmesan?

about 2 years ago wassabeee (Twitter) responded:

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I have a less elegant box like this that I keep my sole gold sovereign in.

about 2 years ago Lucy Inglis responded:

Lucy Inglis

@janetravers and @adeteal are the closest so far.

about 2 years ago janetravers (Twitter) responded:

Tweettreats_cover_image_high_quality_normal

Got it! I think. A nutmeg storage/grater thingy? Wasn't nutmeg really valuable?

about 2 years ago cailinos (Twitter) responded:

Exactly, @janetravers. must be for nutmeg, no?

about 2 years ago janjonesauthor (Twitter) responded:

Jan_jones_reduced_normal

Pomander?

about 2 years ago Lucy Inglis responded:

Lucy Inglis

Yay, we have a winner: @janetravers with nutmeg grater. This one's from about 1690, and the tulip is just a topical decorative theme. As any fule kno, the only way to have nutmeg is freshly grated, so you just whipped this little box out at the table and seasoned your food with your very valuable whole nutmeg. Maybe you offered it around the table, and maybe you didn't. That was quick. The next one's going to be hard.

about 2 years ago janetravers (Twitter) responded:

Tweettreats_cover_image_high_quality_normal

Woohoo! Do I win a nutmeg grater, then? ;) No need, my great victory is enough for me. :)

about 2 years ago cailinos (Twitter) responded:

That was GRATE!!! *scarpers sharpish*

about 2 years ago Wildernesschic (Twitter) responded:

Photo_on_2011-04-09_at_14

Some form of pomander to detract from the smells