A wonderful, rare 18^th Century Nutmeg Grater made by Thomas Willmore of Birmingham England.  It has early hallmarks on the inside lid and on the inside bottom of the grater. It has a hinged top and a hinged grater that lifts up. Date mark(Z)of 1797.   Measures nearly 2 inches long by 1 inch deep and stands ¾” tall.  From a New Jersey Estate.

Thomas Willmore entered his mark at Birmingham Assay office in partnership with James Alston between 1773 and 1801, though later marks show that both were independent silversmiths. Willmore was a bucklemaker and Alston operated a button maker.  Willmore’s grandson, Joseph Wilmore took over the business on Thomas death in 1816.  One of Birmingham’s most importantsilversmiths.