Material

iron

Dimensions

3 7/8" x 4 3/4" x 4 1/4"

Creation Date

circa 1770 – 1830

Description

Wrought iron scraper with a swelling handle of rounded section, a tetrahedron finial, and a triangular blade set at a sharp handle to the handle. A large "V" has been cut out of the central portion of the blade as a decorative element.

Designed for the basic task of freeing some sticky dough from the surface of the wooden vessel it was being prepared on, scrapers of this form are always robust, and are often embellished. This example has a multifaceted finial at the end of its handle, and an openwork "V" cut into its sharpened blade. Known to have been used in Continental Europe, most of those found in America are thought to have originated from the Pennsylvania Dutch, of the southeastern portion of that state. It is not hard to envision the usefulness of this scraper for other kitchen tasks too.

Provenance

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Museum Purchase.

Kitchen Artifact ID

Acc. No. 1979.808.10