An ornate Italian cast brass over-the-cup tea strainer, executed in the Rococo revival style. The strainer features a central hemispherical bowl with circular perforations, surrounded by a wide, elaborately pierced rim of scrolling foliage and C-scrolls, extending to a matching openwork handle.

Historical & Style Details

• Artist / Maker: Unknown Italian maker
• Period: Mid-20th Century
• Origin: Italy
• Material / Technique: Cast brass, pierced and perforated
• Materials: Brass
• Markings: Stamped "ITALY" on the underside of the handle
• Decorative Details: Rococo-style scrolling foliage, C-scrolls, and openwork handle
• Colour & Surface: Warm brass tones with areas of tarnish, oxidation, and surface wear
• Condition: Moderate surface wear, tarnish, and minor oxidation consistent with age and use

History

During the mid-20th century, Italian metal workshops produced a wide variety of decorative brass and silver-plated tableware for export, frequently drawing inspiration from historical European design movements such as the Baroque and Rococo. These over-the-cup tea strainers were popular functional and decorative accessories, combining traditional casting techniques with ornate historical revival motifs.