Obviously derived from a silver precedent, this tea strainer's light weight, crisply molded handle, fluted interior, and pierce-work all testify as much to the refinement of the tea table as to the function of preventing tea leaves from spoiling one's cup of bohea. 

For much of the twentieth century, these teatime accessories were attributed to either Leeds or Wedgwood.  Today, however, we know that a number of other potters in multiple districts were busily manufacturing creamware -- including such pierced items.  If there is some key to identification through the pierce-work patterns, it has yet to be worked out.

The creamware body was developed over a long period during the eighteenth century. The earliest known example is a bowl dated 1742; market momentum for creamware is considered to have begun around the 1760's.  Quickly becoming fashionable, it eventually became a dining table staple for almost all but the very poorest households. Popularity continued through the end of the eighteenth century, only tapering off between 1810 and the 1820's when it was superceded by blue printed pearlware.