Lovely Antique Sterling Silver Hexagonal Tea Strainer Mathews & Prior, New York

Description

Offered is a lovely. and
unusual antique sterling silver tea strainer made by Mathews & Prior, New York, NY (1898-1904). The strainer bowl has a beautifully pierced hexagonally shaped surround. The edge of both the bowl and the surround are intricately beaded. The strainer is affixed to an
elegantly shaped
teakwood handle. The bottom of the strainer has the Matthews & Prior maker's mark; STERLING; and 195 BP. The strainer is approx.  8" in length and 4.25" wide; the gross weight (including handle) is approx. 69.1 gm (2.4 oz).
The tea strainer is in good estate condition and the silver has a lovely patina. There are the some scattered age- and use-related surface scratches/wear and some tiny spots of tarnish. The strainer bowl has two small adjacent dents (please see photo #10 with arrows). Also, there is a smooth ring that is darker gray around
the
center of the stem portion which attaches the strainer to the wooden handle.  This may represent a repair that was done at some point because the stem had become damaged or broken. This area on the stem is not particularly noticeable and is shown with a yellow arrow in photo 11. There is no damage to the wooden handle. There are no monograms.
Thanks and please let me know if you have any questions.