Victorian Style Woven Wire Tea Infuser/Strainer
Tea Service Accessory (Tea Strainer/Infuser) · Likely Continental or American mass-market silversmith; often produced by firms such as Webster Company or International Silver Co. in similar wire-work styles.
Pattern: Woven Wire / Basket Weave Pattern; generic production, not part of a named designer collection.
Type
Tea Service Accessory (Tea Strainer/Infuser)
Maker
Likely Continental or American mass-market silversmith; often produced by firms such as Webster Company or International Silver Co. in similar wire-work styles.
Material
Likely Silver Plate (EPNS) or low-grade Silver (800); the dark oxidation suggests a base metal reacting under thin plating. No 'Sterling' stamp is immediately visible on the wire frame.
Dimensions
Estimated 4.5 to 5 inches in length; bowl diameter approximately 1.5 to 2 inches. Weight roughly 15-25 grams.
Description
A charming and delicate tea infuser featuring a conical bowl of intricate woven silver wire. Designed to sit atop a teacup, this piece exemplifies the domestic elegance of early 20th-century tea service, combining the utility of a strainer with the aesthetic of a miniature basket.
Key Features
Woven wire mesh construction, 'over-the-cup' resting hook, twisted wire handle, and deep conical bowl shape.
Material & Composition
Likely Silver Plate (EPNS) or low-grade Silver (800); the dark oxidation suggests a base metal reacting under thin plating. No 'Sterling' stamp is immediately visible on the wire frame.
Finish & Decoration
Oxidized antique finish; features a woven wire mesh bowl mimicking basketry with a twisted wire handle and a small terminal hook for resting on a cup rim.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Typically found on the handle rim or the small hook terminal. If blank, it is likely silver-colored base metal or electroplated brass/copper.
Construction Details
Hand-assembled wire work; the bowl is formed by weaving fine wires around a circular frame, with a twisted wire handle soldered to the rim.
Functional Features
Conical woven bowl designed to catch loose tea leaves while pouring; features a small hook opposite the handle to allow the piece to balance across a teacup.
Handle & Grip Details
Twisted double-wire handle forming an open loop terminal; designed for a lightweight finger grip.
Craftsmanship Details
Exhibits skilled manual assembly in the weaving of the mesh; the symmetry of the twist in the handle indicates a standard of quality consistent with established commercial workshops.
Authentication Indicators
The construction method (soldered wire) is consistent with period tea accessories; however, the lack of a visible 'Sterling' mark and the nature of the tarnish often point to silver plate.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely United States or Germany; common in the early 20th-century export market for tea accessories.
Era & Period
Late Victorian to Edwardian influence (c. 1890-1920); reflects the 'Arts & Crafts' interest in manual textures and woven forms.
Age Estimate
Circa 1900-1930 based on the wire-work construction and handle style.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the ritualization of tea drinking in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where specialized tools were created for every step of the brewing process.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good; heavy tarnish/oxidation present. Possible thinning of plating on the wire contact points. The mesh appears intact without major breaks in the weave.
Value Estimate
$20 - $45 if silver-plated; $65 - $120 if marked Sterling.
Care & Maintenance
Gently clean with warm soapy water and a soft toothbrush to reach between wires; avoid heavy abrasive polishes which can strip the thin plating on wire-work.
Similar Pieces
Sterling Silver 'Over-the-Cup' strainers with solid pierced bowls (more expensive) or tea balls on chains (used inside the pot/cup).
Interesting Facts
Wire-work items became popular as they used less silver than solid-cast pieces while providing a sophisticated, handmade appearance liked by the Arts & Crafts movement.