About Funnels

Funnels enable the gentle transfer of  wine from bottles to carafes. Their filters ensure that any sediment, encrustation or cork shreds are left behind. The appearance of muddy sediment in a brightly polished funnel indicates when the decanting should stop.

The cup or bowl should separate from the spout for easy cleaning. A detachable rim or interior rim enable muslin to be inserted also for finer filtering.  The funnel should have a spout that is curved at the tip enabling the wine to be deflected down the decanter side. Although the earliest known funnel is dated 1661, they emerge in the 1760's in common use.  By the 1820's their proportions are more grand and the bowls are highly decorated. After 1770, a small tab is attached to the side of the bowl enabling easy access to the filter.  It is assumed that the bowl was also used to filter other liquids such as tea or punch.

Early funnels were hallmarked on their bodies while those dated after the 18th century were marked on the bottom half of the bowl. The marks should include the British lion and at least the maker's mark.

Abstracted from The Book of Wine Antiques, Robin Butler and Gillian Walkling