George III Silver Wine Funnel

Object Description

An elegant antique sterling silver wine strainer with a broad reed border and simple shaped thumb piece. Excellent classic plain style. There is a hand engraved arm crest to the front. Good weight and colour. Weight 161 grams, 5.1 troy ounces. Length 14.5 cm. Diameter 7.6 cm. London 1810. Maker Samuel Whitford & George Pizey.

Biography – Samuel Whitford II, no record of apprenticeship or freedom. First mark entered as plateworker 1800. 2nd mark in partnership with George Whitford 1802. 3rd mark (2 sizes) in 1807. 4th mark in partnership with George Pizey 1810. 5th mark alone (2 sizes) 1812. 6th mark 1817. 7th mark 1817.

George Pizey, London silversmith, no record of apprenticeship or freedom. 1st mark entered as plateworked in partnership with Samuel Whitford 1810. 2nd mark alone.

Object Literature

The wine funnel became common towards the end of the 18th century; a few rare earlier examples exist. With the modern wine making methods wine funnels are generally used just for decanting wine however in olden times the wine needed to be filtered before drinking it. The pierced platform is not normally sufficient to strain the wine properly and needs a piece of muslin fitted between the pierced section and the spout. There are two main varieties: the first has a spout which detaches just below the bowl of the funnel, the other has a detachable inner bowl with a pierced centre inside the main bowl. Occasionally there is a further detachable ring which held the muslin firmly. Funnels exist without a pierced strainer and were probably used to decant liquor or possibly perfume; these are normally smaller in size

Object Condition

This excellent silver wine funnel is in very good condition with no damage or restoration. The silver marks on both pieces are matching, crisp and clear to read.
Please note that this item is not new and will show moderate signs of wear commensurate with age. Reflections in the photograph may detract from the true representation of this item.

Object Details