Name/Title
Nut BrazierEntry/Object ID
1980.19.1Description
Nut roaster made of brass and lined with copper. The circular roaster is pierced on the sides. The lid is hinged and features figures in relief. The turned handle is topped with a Prince of Wales feather motif and a hole to hang the piece when not in use.Use
Nut braziers are a type of heating device designed for roasting chestnuts, an activity once popular during the cool winter months. After puncturing the shell and placing the chestnuts in the base of the nut brazier, participants used the long handle to distance themselves from the fire as the chestnuts roasted. The pierced design around the base further helped the chestnuts cook evenly, allowing the heat to penetrate through the nut's shell. Once roasted, chestnuts are typically hot and aromatic, and the shell is easier to peel off.Context
Native to the Americas, chestnuts were abundant and inexpensive in the United States prior to a blight in 1904. Now commonly imported from China, Korea, and Italy, chestnuts contain an earthy, sweet flavor and a soft, buttery, and meaty texture.Dimensions
Depth
2 inLength
14-1/4 inDiameter
4-3/4 in
