Coffee grinder

Food preparation was labour intensive during the Victorian period as all foods were unprocessed and had to be prepared daily.   By the 1750s coffee had become a favourite drink with the wealthy. Although grocers often ground the beans, it also became fashionable to grind the beans at home.   In 1815 the iron founder, Archibald Kendrick, patented a new box type cast iron coffee grinder. The coffee was put into the bowl at the top, and when the handle was turned the blades ground the beans so that they fell into the drawer at the base.   The square cast iron base has holes for fixing to the table, and the brass patent plaque on the front shows the Royal Coat of Arms, incorporating the lion and unicorn. The Kendrick coffee grinder design was copied by many other manufacturers.