Indian Turtle-Form Food Grater

Brass turtle on spindly toes, with a shell like patterned basketry.

This turtle-form brass food grater is from India, and dates to the early 20th century. Hand graters of this kind are generally used in South Asian kitchens for coconut and similar ingredients, and many are cast or shaped in animal forms. Flat-bodied metal tortoise with a domed oval shell textured in interlaced raised lines. The head and tail stretch out in a straight line, and the four feet end in small curled toes under a warm golden shine. It is 11 inches wide, 6.5 deep and 1.5 high.

Slow, shiny, and quietly committed to the role.