French Antique Coffee Grinder
This fine coffee grinder by Japy Freres shows the characteristic marks of an antique. It has a metal mechanical device for grinding coffee beans and an oak box complete with drawer and dovetailed edges for collecting the ground coffee. On the front of the grinder there is a plaque displaying Japy Freres, Beaucourt, Paris. Floral decorations have been added to two sides of the wooden compartment. These show signs of hand painting. This is a truly collectible item.
Frederic Japy (1749 – 1812) founded the Japy Freres company in 1806, and went on to establish a manufacturing plant in Beaucourt. He became one of the major manufacturers of clock movements for the French clock making industry. Previous to this, clock movements had been created by artisans in small workshops. He went on to produce hardware parts such as screws, nails and bolts. In 1806 he handed over the direction of his business to three of his sons. They diversified manufacturing to produce items such as coffee grinders, typewriters, enamelware, kitchen utensils and advertising signs. By the early 1900s, many of these businesses were sold off. The golden age of Japy Freres was between 1850 – 1930. They ceased trading in the late 1930s.
The first coffee grinders were the mortar and pestle. By the 15th century, people used their manual spice grinders or grain mills to grind coffee. The first coffee mill made specifically to grind coffee beans was invented in 1799 by Richard Dearmann, an English blacksmith. Coffee beans were placed into the top metal section of the device where a hand crank was used to grind the coffee. A wooden box with a drawer at the bottom of the grinder would catch the ground coffee. Decorative elements were often added to the design. By the late 1800s, coffee grinders became common household items and continued to do so up until the 1940s.
This coffee grinder is in excellent condition. With our current passion for coffee at this stage in time, it would make a delightful addition to kictchen decor.
It measures approximately 20 cms in height (including handle), 14 cms in length and 14 cms in width.
This fine coffee grinder by Japy Freres shows the characteristic marks of an antique. It has a metal mechanical device for grinding coffee beans and an oak box complete with drawer and dovetailed edges for collecting the ground coffee. On the front of the grinder there is a plaque displaying Japy Freres, Beaucourt, Paris. Floral decorations have been added to two sides of the wooden compartment. These show signs of hand painting. This is a truly collectible item.
Frederic Japy (1749 – 1812) founded the Japy Freres company in 1806, and went on to establish a manufacturing plant in Beaucourt. He became one of the major manufacturers of clock movements for the French clock making industry. Previous to this, clock movements had been created by artisans in small workshops. He went on to produce hardware parts such as screws, nails and bolts. In 1806 he handed over the direction of his business to three of his sons. They diversified manufacturing to produce items such as coffee grinders, typewriters, enamelware, kitchen utensils and advertising signs. By the early 1900s, many of these businesses were sold off. The golden age of Japy Freres was between 1850 – 1930. They ceased trading in the late 1930s.
The first coffee grinders were the mortar and pestle. By the 15th century, people used their manual spice grinders or grain mills to grind coffee. The first coffee mill made specifically to grind coffee beans was invented in 1799 by Richard Dearmann, an English blacksmith. Coffee beans were placed into the top metal section of the device where a hand crank was used to grind the coffee. A wooden box with a drawer at the bottom of the grinder would catch the ground coffee. Decorative elements were often added to the design. By the late 1800s, coffee grinders became common household items and continued to do so up until the 1940s.
This coffee grinder is in excellent condition. With our current passion for coffee at this stage in time, it would make a delightful addition to kictchen decor.
It measures approximately 20 cms in height (including handle), 14 cms in length and 14 cms in width.
This fine coffee grinder by Japy Freres shows the characteristic marks of an antique. It has a metal mechanical device for grinding coffee beans and an oak box complete with drawer and dovetailed edges for collecting the ground coffee. On the front of the grinder there is a plaque displaying Japy Freres, Beaucourt, Paris. Floral decorations have been added to two sides of the wooden compartment. These show signs of hand painting. This is a truly collectible item.
Frederic Japy (1749 – 1812) founded the Japy Freres company in 1806, and went on to establish a manufacturing plant in Beaucourt. He became one of the major manufacturers of clock movements for the French clock making industry. Previous to this, clock movements had been created by artisans in small workshops. He went on to produce hardware parts such as screws, nails and bolts. In 1806 he handed over the direction of his business to three of his sons. They diversified manufacturing to produce items such as coffee grinders, typewriters, enamelware, kitchen utensils and advertising signs. By the early 1900s, many of these businesses were sold off. The golden age of Japy Freres was between 1850 – 1930. They ceased trading in the late 1930s.
The first coffee grinders were the mortar and pestle. By the 15th century, people used their manual spice grinders or grain mills to grind coffee. The first coffee mill made specifically to grind coffee beans was invented in 1799 by Richard Dearmann, an English blacksmith. Coffee beans were placed into the top metal section of the device where a hand crank was used to grind the coffee. A wooden box with a drawer at the bottom of the grinder would catch the ground coffee. Decorative elements were often added to the design. By the late 1800s, coffee grinders became common household items and continued to do so up until the 1940s.
This coffee grinder is in excellent condition. With our current passion for coffee at this stage in time, it would make a delightful addition to kictchen decor.
It measures approximately 20 cms in height (including handle), 14 cms in length and 14 cms in width.
