Obviously derived from a silver precedent, this tea strainer's light weight, crisply...
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.