Tea drinking has been a popular pasttime of the British for the last two centurys. Once only for the rich, as the tea was such an expensive commodity, later becoming a staple item of every home. Before the invention of tea bags, all tea was sold as loose tea and would need a strainer to sieve out the tea leaves. The strainers came in many different designs, from plain utility shapes of simple functions, to elaborate fine siver designs, and even figural china pieces.
 
This strainer is an unusual design having a spring to the handle, this would be drawn back to enable you to pour the tea through, then sprung back to retain the tea leaves. It is of art deco design and would be used in a modern house of the day, such as house of a proffesional person who liked to keep up to date with fashion.
 
The silver plate is in good condition and the spring functions well.
 
Dimensions: 17.5cm in length x 4.5cm wide.