Rare Christofle Gallia silver plate coffee strainer with three compartments (body, removable strainer, lid) and perforated bottom. Esoteric vintage piece, with small knobs that look like either resin or Bakelite. Hallmarked to one side. Very scarce – I’ve never seen another. Darkened patina throughout – this piece needs a good polishing. Measures 3” tall, 4” across base. From a Lake Champlain estate sale. Free of dings or scratches.

A kind gentleman contacted me to inform me that this is indeed a coffee strainer, and not a tea strainer, as I had suspected. This is what he shared: "I have this item which I have had for several years, and they are indeed rare. They are actually a coffee strainer used like a French press. You place it over your cup, add the coffee, then the water and small press, and let it drip into your cup. I have tried to use it to make tea and it doesn't work as well. I have been told that they were mostly used on large ocean liners during the 1920's and 1930's. I don't know if this is true, but it's a nice little coffee press to sit and have a nice cup of coffee."

Buyer to pay for item plus shipping.