Stunning Rare Georgian Bright Cut Engraved Silver Egg Nutmeg Grater Samuel Meriton c.1775

A rare late 18th century silver egg shaped nutmeg grater, very unusually decorated with bright-cut engraved decoration of segmenting alternating stripes. One set of bands has a zig-zag pattern of acanthus leaves reserved against a textured lined background with dotted edges, and the other is a textured foliate pattern against a plain background and fine zig-zag edges. At either end the stripes all converge into two pretty flower type rosettes. The cover unscrews to reveal the original pull out grater. Maker's initials SM are stamped inside the base of the cover for Samuel Meriton, a specialist 18th century maker of fine silver nutmeg graters. No other marks, as is usual, dating from c.1775.