The wine strainer, more commonly known as a wine funnel, was used for decanting wine or other liquids. Early versions in silver were almost invariably plain and functional; few bear more decoration than a reeded or foliage lip. Some, as with this example, had provision for an additional muslin strainer. Later examples have the tip of the stem turned to one side which prevents the aeration of the wine while it is being decanted.

Sheffield plate originated, with the discovery in 1742, that bars of silver and copper, in unequal proportions, fused by heating under pressure, could be rolled into sheets of laminated metal and worked like silver. The industry this material created flourished for about 100 years until superseded by electroplating in the 1840s.