George III Antique Silver Strainer

Object Description

An antique sterling silver strainer of circular form with a shaped handle. A very charming and useful size; although originally made as a lemon strainer this could be used nowadays as a tea strainer. The bowl is pierced with a flower design.

Weight 67 grams, 2.1 troy oz.
Spread 12.9cm. Diameter 8.8cm. Height 2.9cm.
London 1766.
Maker Nathaniel Appleton & Anne Smith.
Sterling silver.

Marks. Stamped to the centre of the bowl with a full set of English silver hallmarks; the leopard mark is obscured by one of the holes.

Nathaniel Appleton, apprenticed to James Walters1751, free 1759. Mark entered in partnership with Anne Smith, no mention of apprenticeship or freedom, in 1771. Their mark is generally found on cream jugs and salt cellars.

Object Literature

Orange or lemon strainers were peculiar to the 18th century and were probably used in conjunction with punch bowls to filter out the fruit pips. They were made with one or two handles. The one handled strainer sometimes had a small tongue or lug on the opposite side of the handle which may have been used to hook it on to the side of the punch bowl. The strainers are normally marked in the piercing in the centre of the bowl. These strainers are popularly used nowadays as tea strainers although the size is larger than a normal tea strainer.

Object Condition

In very good condition. The form is slightly “not round” from use over the years.

Object Details