Wood & Hughes c. 1865 Large Coin Sugar Sifter

This 8 3/4" long, approximately 2.5 T. oz., coin silver sugar sifter is of singular design. Stamped "WwH" for Wood and Hughes, the hexagonal stem with grommet margins is reminiscent of George Sharp. Rather than a ball end which is characteristic of Sharp's and other maker's use of this form, this has a loop with beaded edges, and a single bead tip. The lower end of the handle is joined to a cast section that in turn has three arms that attach to the bowl. The bowl is 2 3/4" in diameter and 1" deep. It has star, circle, and dart piercings and is finished in a gold wash on both front and back sides. There is an applied rim with a repeating acanthus leaf design. Altogether this item is of a manner that has been described as "jewelry-esque" meaning that it was formed from an assemblage of discreet elements, some drawn, some cast, and some struck. Such work is complex and would have required the skills and efforts of a variety of crafters. It is in perfect, essentially unused, condition and dates c. 1865.