Miles
.
Quaich or Strainer?
Quaich or Strainer?
This attractive item was made in 1893 by William Comyns and is typical of his work. I'm not sure what it is though. The decoration is on the inside, and the outside does not look very pretty. Is it missing something?
Miles
.
Miles
.
Hi Miles,
I would have imagined this would have had a bowl to go with it, and maybe it could be used for somthing like olives, that would dry out unless submerged in oil, this of course would make them slippery and difficult to extract from the oil, but with the aid of this strainer, it could be raised slighty for easier extraction.
Regards Trev.
.
I would have imagined this would have had a bowl to go with it, and maybe it could be used for somthing like olives, that would dry out unless submerged in oil, this of course would make them slippery and difficult to extract from the oil, but with the aid of this strainer, it could be raised slighty for easier extraction.
Regards Trev.
.
Does the rim and foot appear to have a fitting for an external bowl? I wonder if it was made as a one-off to salvage a treasured bowl that was severely damaged. The foot is what is throwing me, who would want this sitting with the outside showing. Though if it were a strainer, why put a foot on it, the handles would support it on the rim of an outer bowl. A very curious object.
.
.
Might it be that it was made to be set in various sizes of bowls?
It has a rim/foot on the bottom to lift it off the the bottom of the bowl, if the bowl was a bit too low for the handles to rest on, but the handles could still be used to lift the strainer up to drain out of the liquid that the olives, etc, would be sitting in, for serving. Then, replace the strainer in the liquid.
Or, if the bowl was deeper and narrower, the handles could rest on the top edge of the bowl to support the strainer, and handles could still be used to lift it and drain off the liquid.
.
It has a rim/foot on the bottom to lift it off the the bottom of the bowl, if the bowl was a bit too low for the handles to rest on, but the handles could still be used to lift the strainer up to drain out of the liquid that the olives, etc, would be sitting in, for serving. Then, replace the strainer in the liquid.
Or, if the bowl was deeper and narrower, the handles could rest on the top edge of the bowl to support the strainer, and handles could still be used to lift it and drain off the liquid.
.
It is very pretty. You know, thinking about that and looking at it again today, I thought of something else.
Being as it is so pretty, one might not want to have it submerged in oil or something.
My new idea is that it could be something like a berry server--it would be set on a plate, or shallow bowl, soup plate? (hence, the rim on the bottom), rinsed off berries put in it, and any moisture would drain onto the plate below. As the berries were served or eaten (can't tell if it's serving or individual size), the interior design would be exposed and could be enjoyed. Or, serving something like brandied fruit--same thing.
Maybe there's a missing silver tray? If the piece shown is shallow, attention would be on the inside of it. The handles don't have to support it over anything; could be just handles, decorative, or like the handles on a serving tray.
(I was going to say "tea bag strainer", 'cause it could be set on a plate for that, too, but did they have tea bags in 1893?)
.
Being as it is so pretty, one might not want to have it submerged in oil or something.
My new idea is that it could be something like a berry server--it would be set on a plate, or shallow bowl, soup plate? (hence, the rim on the bottom), rinsed off berries put in it, and any moisture would drain onto the plate below. As the berries were served or eaten (can't tell if it's serving or individual size), the interior design would be exposed and could be enjoyed. Or, serving something like brandied fruit--same thing.
Maybe there's a missing silver tray? If the piece shown is shallow, attention would be on the inside of it. The handles don't have to support it over anything; could be just handles, decorative, or like the handles on a serving tray.
(I was going to say "tea bag strainer", 'cause it could be set on a plate for that, too, but did they have tea bags in 1893?)
.
Re: Quaich or Strainer?
I had to regis'ter just so I could share an idea about this. I'm so impressed with the knowledge here, I have gone from page to page!!! But could this item have been meant to sit in ice or shaved ice and the handles so that it could be picked up easily and refilled and replaced back into the ice? It's just a hunch.
Re: Quaich or Strainer?
It's certainly possible, but I'd first like to see an advertisement showing that use.
Miles
Miles
Re: Quaich or Strainer?
I think you may have a bon bon dish.