Irish Silver Wine Funnel Stand, Dublin 1807

Wine funnel stands are scarce pieces of antique Irish silver. They very occasionally appear with Scottish hallmarks too, but very rarely with English. Their intention is to prevent wine droplets remaining in the funnel from staining furniture.

This circular dish has a domed centre with an engraved crest of a stag's head within a garter to the middle. It is clearly marked to the underside with Dublin hallmarks for the silversmith Robert Breading. Interestingly, despite the need for the sovereign's head duty mark to be added to Dublin hallmarks from 1807, this piece is stamped with the date letter "L" without the sovereign's head suggesting a date of manufacture prior to August 10th when its presence became compulsory.

This silver wine funnel stand is in fine antique condition.