This exceptional antique George I English Britannia standard* silver lemon strainer has a plain circular rounded form.
The bowl of the strainer is embellished with pierced concentric circles emanating from the centre, with an applied moulded border to the rim.
This antique lemon strainer is fitted with two impressive, hallmarked pierced scrolling leaf handpieces; one handpiece bears the contemporary engraved initials 'BHP'.
This very fine example of Georgian silverware has a very good colour and patination**.
This exceptional example of antique silverware features no maker's mark; the maker is therefore unknown.
* Britannia Silver - The Britannia silver standard of 958 (95.84% of fine silver), denoted by the icon of the seated Britannia holding an oval shield, was introduced by William III in 1697. This was to indicate the slightly higher standard of silver from sterling silver standard of 925 (92.5% of fine silver).
** Patination or Patina is a subtle colouration or tarnish which forms on the surface of some metals, produced by oxidation or other chemical processes. A good patina proffers an aesthetically pleasing look.
Date: 1717