The pierced oval thumb-piece above a spiral threaded screw having a disk base,
into a shaped open receptacle, also with disc base

This form of nutcracker has been known in England from the late 17th century.
Some medieval small screw-form devices were even listed
(albeit now thought erroneously so) as instruments of "finger torture".

 
Contrarily, thumb-screw nutcrackers were sometimes engraved or pierced with hearts,
and given as love tokens or gifts.
In the 16th century, Henry VIII gave his second wife Anne Boleyn
a wooden decorative nutcracker.

A similar nutcrackere in steel resides in the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation,
with engraved name and date, 1774
(ref. Domestic Metalwork, 1640-1820, ref, Gentle and Feild, p.287. Pl 3)

Condition : Good to excellent, with light wear, appropriate to age and usage

2-7/8" High

SOLD

#7427 

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