Unmarked Tea Strainer Spoon ?

This individual Tea Strainer is not marked. The metal was tarnished, would it be German Silver, Nickel Silver ? Also, would the owner have crimped the handle or would it have been made this way?
5.5" Long, bowl is 2.5" in diameter.

 

Yes to all of the above. You don't usually see them with the crimp. Called the Star pattern for obvious reasons, but only made as tea strainers.

 

Hagen's Silverplated Flatware Patterns shows this as found with the mark of 1847 Rogers Brothers, notes "not a full line."

 

https://www.sterlingflatwarefashions.com/SPPatterns/1847Rogers5.html dated 1890.

 

Thank You Bakersgma !!

So it is Silver Plate.

I hope your weather is better.

Sue

 

I've seen them called julep strainers with the crimp to catch on the side of the glass.

 

Thank You SIS !

I was able to find identical ones using the julep strainer keywords. It is interesting that Reed and Barton and International made almost identical Star Julep Strainers the difference that I see is in the shape of the strainer holes.

 

I have one around here somewhere too. I've seen photos of it being used in what might seem to be an upside down orientation on the inside of the glass.

 

S-I-S is correct, a julep strainer slips inside a glass, concave side down, to strain the julep or other drink, the Star julep strainer was in the 1886 Meriden Britannia catalog without the crimp (there was also a Clover strainer that went on top of the rim), but the convenient crimp was added not too much later...

~Cheryl

 

1886 Meriden catalog:



1906 Fuller catalog:



~Cheryl

 

Thank You One and All !

You are all so wonderful to take the time to share your knowledge. Even at my age I love learning.

Sue

 

I'm an old bartender, used several different kinds of strainers over the years, including modern versions of this one. Was poking around because I thought I remembered that they were also used in the drink glass, effectively keeping the loose bits from being swallowed - found Queen of Sienna's blog post on the subject (she does some excellent research).

https://queenofsienna.wordpress.com/2014/02/16/blame-it-on-boardman/

~Cheryl

 

I realize that I've never had a mint julep. Not being much of a drinker I wonder if you can make it with Jameson Irish whiskey since that's what's in the cabinet. (I imagine single malt Scotch whisky is out).

 

Glad to see a much better identification than mine. Never had or even seen a julep in person, but this makes a lot more sense now.