Funnels

Wine Funnels and Port Strainers. The antique silver 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. Often the tip of the stem is turned to one side, this prevents the aeration of the wine while it is being decanted.

18th century
19th century

Monarchs

George I
George III
George IV

Price

Funnels

Circa 1720

8223 Antique German Silver Spirit Funnel
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A charming little antique silver funnel of single piece design without a pierced strainer. Funnels of this type were smaller in size and used for decanting liquor, or possibly perfume. Of plain form and having a simple band of hand engraved decoration around the top edge. Weight 32 grams, 1 troy ounce. Height 5.3 cm. Diameter 5.4 cm. Marked around the edge with German silver marks for the town Augsburg. Maker ‘S’ under 2 stars (Rosenberg page 202) Circa 1720.
1770
Hester Bateman
9209 George III Silver Wine Funnel by Hester Bateman
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An elegant antique sterling silver wine strainer, or port strainer, with plain styling and simple thumbpiece. Excellent classic style as you’d expect from the prestigious lady silversmith Hester Bateman. This wine funnel is made in three detachable parts – the strainer, funnel and a rare feature is the additional detachable ring which was used for holding the muslin securely. Handsome plain design with reed and gadroon borders. To the front there is a hand engraved crest. Weight 96 grams, 3.1 troy ounces. Height 12 cms. Diameter 8 cms. London 1770. Maker Hester Bateman.
1790
Matthew Boulton
10261 George III Antique Silver Wine Funnel
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A classic style antique silver wine strainer with a gadroon border and simple shaped thumb piece. Very elegant form. Good weight and colour. A rare feature is the detachable muslin strainer ring. Weight 186 grams, 5.9 troy ounces. Length 15 cm. Diameter 7.7 cm. Birmingham 1790. Maker Matthew Boulton. Sterling silver. 18^th century.
1797
John Emes
9017 George III Silver Wine Funnel
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An elegant antique sterling silver wine strainer with a broad reeded border and simple shaped thumb piece. Excellent classic plain style. Good weight and colour. Weight 168 grams, 5.4 troy ounces. Length 15.3 cms. Diameter 8.4 cms. London 1797. Maker John Emes.
1798
Walter Brind
8761 George III Silver Wine Funnel
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A good looking antique sterling silver wine strainer with detachable strainer. Handsome plain design with gadroon border and a small central ribbed decoration. Weight 156 grams, 5 troy ounces. Height 16 cms. Diameter 8 cms. London 1798. Maker probably Walter Brind.
1800
William Allen III
8553 George III Antique Silver Wine Funnel
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An elegant antique sterling silver wine strainer with a reeded border and shaped thumb piece. Excellent classic plain style. Good weight and colour. Weight 129 grams, 4.1 troy ounces. Length 15 cms. Diameter 7.2 cms. London 1800. Maker William Allen III.
1800
Abstinando King
10308 George III Antique Silver Wine Funnel
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An elegant antique silver wine strainer with a reed border and shaped thumbpiece. Excellent classic plain style. Good colour. Hand engraved monogram to the front. There is no sign of a thumbpiece ever being present. Weight 126 grams, 4 troy ounces. Length 15cm. Diameter 8cm. London 1800. Maker Abstinando King. Sterling silver. 18th century.
1804
John Emes
8380 Antique Silver Wine Funnel
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An elegant antique sterling silver wine strainer with a broad reeded border and leaf design thumb piece. Excellent classic plain style. Good weight and colour. Hand engraved on both pieces with the Royal Arms bearing the motto “Honi Soit Qui Mal y Pense”. Weight 147 grams, 4.7 troy ounces. Length 15 cms. Diameter 7.8 cms. London 1804. Maker John Emes.
1808
Robert Breading
9693 Antique Irish Silver Wine Funnel Stand
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An antique wine funnel stand in sterling silver with simple, plain design. Of circular form, it has a reed border and a domed centre hand engraved with the crest of a unicorn. Weight 62 grams, 2 troy ounces. Diameter 10.5cm. Dublin 1808. Maker Robert Breading.
1810
Samuel Whitford II
10313 George III Antique Silver Wine Funnel
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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 oz. Length 14.5cm. Diameter 7.6cm. London 1810. Maker Samuel Whitford & George Pizey.
1813
Elizabeth Morley
9042 Antique Silver Wine Funnel
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A good antique sterling silver wine strainer with a gadroon border and shaped thumb piece. Plain style. Good weight and colour. Weight 121 grams, 3.8 troy ounces. Length 15 cms. Diameter 8.1 cms. London 1813. Maker Elizabeth Morley.
1813
John Crouch II
9429 George III Antique Silver Wine Funnel
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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.
1814
Paul Storr
8275 George III Silver Wine Funnel by Paul Storr
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A handsome antique sterling silver wine strainer with a broad shell and gadroon border, pretty shell thumb piece and attractive ribbed decoration to both pieces. Fantastic quality as you’d expect by this prestigious English master silversmith. With hand engraved crest and initial to both funnel and strainer. Good weight 203 grams, 6.5 troy ounces. Height 16 cms. Diameter 9.3 cms. London 1814. Maker Paul Storr.
1814
Rebecca Emes & Edward Barnard I
8321 Antique Silver Wine Funnel
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A handsome antique sterling silver wine strainer with a broad reeded border and pretty shell thumb piece. Plain style. Good weight and colour. Weight 101 grams, 3.2 troy ounces. Length 14 cms. Diameter 8 cms. London 1814. Maker Emes & Barnard.
1819
James Barber & William Whitwell
9514 Antique York Silver Wine Funnel
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A rare provincial silver wine strainer with embossed scrolls and flowers and shell thumb piece. Sterlijng silver. Good weight and colour. Weight 101 grams, 3.2 troy ounces. Length 13.7 cm. Diameter 9.1 cms. York circa 1819 (date mark rubbed). Maker Barber & Whitwell.
1827
John James Keith
9410 Georgian Silver Wine Funnel
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A good antique sterling silver wine strainer with a broad gadroon border and attractive shell thumb piece. Plain style. Weight 158 grams, 5 troy ounces. Height 16.3cm. Diameter 10.5cm. London 1827. Maker John James Keith.