Stunning Rare George III Silver Lemon / Orange Punch Strainer 1775

A superb 18th century silver single handled lemon strainer, designed to drain the juice from cut fruit into punches, keeping pips and other debris behind. It has a clip on the edge to sit on the rim of a bowl or cup. A nicely cast beaded rim and shaped rococo style handle, and a particularly fine arrangement of pierced holes. Hallmarked to the underside for London 1775, the maker initials partially rubbed, "?M" possibly for Benjamin Mountigue (Mordecai). Lion passant mark to the handle. A rare and beautiful piece and perfectly useful for cocktail parties, or for dredging chocolate or icing sugar over desserts.