You may have seen these items before and wondered about their use:

Sugar Nippers

These are sugar nippers, used to chip away at sugar loaves or cones. Sugar was sold only in this form until late 19th century, dating as early as the 15th century in Europe.
The three nippers pictured were made from early to late 1800s and are in inventory at the Tavern.

Below are a couple of examples of 18th century sugar axes, another tool used to chip sugar from the loaf; these are quite desirable and belonged to the Tavern.

18th century European sugar axe

18th century French sugar axe

sugarloaf.