REDUCED Georgian Wine Funnel Strainer, Hallmarked, 1785 Sterling

Antiques : Wine Funnel, Georgian, Sterling

 

Georgian Sterling wine funnel--actually only the strainer half. Most wine funnels were made in two pieces with the top piece a long, spout-like funnel and the bottom, the sieve, with a hook to hold steady on the receptacle into which the wine is being decanted. I read on-line that altho wine funnels are highly collectible, in the second half of 19th century they were often modified into objects of a more practical nature. Having just the bottom, it becomes a more desirable (at the time) tea strainer, which is possibly what happened to this one. Actually, it is more probable that the funnel/spout was separated from the bottom and lost. Which brings me back to the fact that I'm in possession of only this part of the funnel---a perfectly usable wine strainer, with most of the hallmarks rubbed, but the lower case 'f' date letter of 1785 still legible (on the right, in photo). A wonderful piece of history, it has an engraved stag which must be part of a coat of arms, and has only two imperfections--#1. the flange around the star shaped strainer perforations is slightly off-shape (please see photo) and #2. there are a couple of small dings on its side which not readily apparent. Beautiful beaded rim. Measures 3" diameter x 1 1/2"h. Reduced!

Item ID: 574