Material

wood

Purpose

This object was used to sift flour into fine granules so that it was ready for baking. The sifter blades were attached to the handle, and a sifting screen would allow only the finest flour grains to fall through.

Creation Date

19th century

Date Details

According to 300 Years of Kitchen Collectibles (Franklin 115), this apparatus is among various early styled sifters made of wood. The design of this sifter is most closely related to the 'Tilden's Universal" wooden sifter which was patented in March of 1865. Another similar wooden box-like sifter was patented by A.E. Blood in 1866. Although the patent dates do not agree, in all likelihood, the sifter above is an earlier model of the Tilden's Universal. Nevertheless, it is established that the sifter above was designed in the mid nineteenth century and therefore was probably utilized in a Victorian household during the mid 1800's.

Marks/Inscription

Universal Flour Sifter - Patented June 13 1863/illegible

Kitchen Artifact ID

K007