A GEORGE III WROUGHT IRON DOWN-HEARTH GRISSET

A GEORGE III WROUGHT IRON DOWN-HEARTH GRISSET

IRISH OR KENT / SUSSEX, C.1780

the pan of oval form with slightly pointed ends, raised on three simple splayed feet, the long side of the pan issuing a long rectangular-section grooved handle loop

24.5cm long

Catalogue Note

The purpose of a grisset is to catch the drips of animal and bird fat whilst roasting on an open fire. A part-peeled rush was then drawn through the fat and cooled to form a rushlight.

Literature

See R. Ashley, 'The Rushlight & Related Holders: A Regional View, p. 236, fig. 202, where a similar cast iron grisset described as Irish is illustrated and Irish examples are described as 'often of cast iron...in a more oval shape' than is typical of Welsh or English examples. Irish grissets, or cahms, are often found with 'two grooves in the handle'. However, on p. 237 it is noted that, 'in Sussex and Kent the ovoid shape is used, usually in cast iron. Ribbed decoration on the handle is believed to be a Sussex foundry detail. Three legs are again employed. Sussex versions are often a little deeper in capacity than Irish and Welsh examples.'