Large Flour Shaker, 1776

This is a rare piece and we don't recall seeing one before. As can be seen from the comparative photograph with the soft drinks can, this George III period silver sifter is an especially large size. It was presumably intended to sprinkle flour over cakes, muffins etc.

The main body has two bayonets so that the cover can be securely fitted. The cover is cleverly pierced in a six-petal flower head design. The body is engraved with a lion rampant crest that corresponds to the one on the cover. The hallmarks on the main body are unusual in that the duty mark appears to have inadvertently been struck twice and there are appropriate part marks on the cover. 

Made by the scarcely encountered silversmith, Benjamin Stephenson, this fabulous piece of Georgian silver remains in fine condition with a lovely antique patina.