What is a Grisset

[leigh47]

Can anyone tell me what is a GRISSET? I think it was an item used in the 17th - 18th century. Can not find anything on internet or in dictionary.

[wildwood]

Maybe it is one of these...

http://shadt.free.fr/sanctuaire_bu/grisset.htm

[Quizmonster]

Grisset is an anglicised spelling of the French word, grisette. That means (a) an inferior grey cloth once worn by working-class girls in France...(b) a French working-class girl or seamstress...or (c) a type of moth.
In what context did you come across the word?

[oranger]

Grisset: Wrought iron,rush light tallow pan.

[oranger]

See PERIOD OAK OF PETWORTH website

[Quizmonster]

That's interesting, Oranger. Neither The Oxford English Dictionary - usually the 'bible' in such matters - nor Chambers has any record of the word other than basically with the meanings I offered earlier. Given that the questioner refers to "an item", a pan sounds a likelier bet.

[oranger]

Quizmonster: Prices4antiques.com is where i found the information.

[leigh47]

Thank you all for your answers. oranger,your 2 answers are what I had in mind. I just wanted confirmation. Quizmonster, I agree it is strange that this word does not apear in dictionary.
I came across the word mentioned among other items of 17th. century cooking equipment.

[Quizmonster]

On further examination, I now suspect that grisset is a local variant of cresset, from the Old French, craisset. The OED defines that as "a vessel of iron or the like made to hold grease or oil" and tallow is certainly grease. The dictionary later describes it as a kitchen utensil. Perhaps that solves the mysterious absence of the word itself.

[woofgang]

that's wha I love about AB at its best....all the esoteric info

[poacherpete]

Its an Early (17/18th century) form of three legged dripping pan.
It was usualy set in front the fire in the hearth.Where it caught the meat drippings that were lost from the meat as it cooked on the spit.
The collected fat was then used to make 'candles',by pulling dry rushes through the cooling fat and building up various 'tallow' coats on them in the process.

..Pete cosgrove

[mibn2cweus]

http://goo.gl/RjmSQ

[Jiggyfriend]

According to an old book on Irish superstitions, a grisset was a small narrow metal pan on three legs for melting grease.