Essay

The earliest wine funnel would appear to be that in a private collection dating from the reign of Charles I. A few are known post Commonwealth but funnels don't appear in any numbers until circa 1770. Those appearing before this date tend to be made in a simple conical form like the present example and a piece of muslin was inserted in the wide end to filter the wine. Fully marked funnels before 1770 are also unusual and the earlier one goes back the rarer it is to find such pieces. David Willaume was one of the most prominent Huguenot silversmiths of the early 18th century producing outstanding objects for a very wealthy clientele.  It is rare, therefore, to find such a small but charming piece by him which was possibly a special order from one of those affluent patrons.