Named and Dated Screw Action Nutcracker

Materials: Brass.
Dimensions: length 7.8 cms.
Place of Origin: England.
Date: 1676.
Maker: unknown.
Present Location: Nutcracker Museum in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Explanation:

The screw’s thumbpiece is made in the form of an arched crown, the underside of the base plate engraved “Ruth Gifford 1676”.

It is believed to be the earliest known example of a dated brass screw action nutcracker. The inscription of both an owner’s name and a date may indicate that it was a gift given on a special occasion.

Reference:

Antique tools and Instruments from the Nessi Collection, 5 Continents Editions, 2004, ISBN 88-7439-124-2.