George III Silver Wine Funnel

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Object Description

An elegant antique sterling silver wine strainer, or port strainer, with plain styling and simple thumbpiece. Handsome plain design with reed borders. Weight 61 grams, 2 troy ounces. Height 12cm. Diameter 7.8cm. London 1813. Maker John Crouch II.

Biography – Thomas Hannam completed his apprenticeship to John Café in 1761 and went into partnership with John Crouch in 1765. The firm was known particularly as makers of fine quality trays, salvers and waiters. Their earlier marks also appear on cast candlesticks, very likely due to Hannam’s apprenticeship to the Cafes.

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 useful silver wine funnel is in very good condition with no damage or restoration. Stamped with a full set of English silver hallmarks on the strainer, the funnel has the lion, duty and makers marks.
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.