what is this?

[fancypants]

Thanks KC .... thought it was somethin' it wern't !

A couple of copper ones below , one by Yoshio Tsujii .

[sapphire]

I knew I had one lurking somewhere.    'Silver' to the eye, flash gave it the copper cast.

[KC]

Nice fancypants!

Sapphire...your pics have me thinking....(which is hard to do these hot/humid days)....wonder if this one that jb listed is missing the handle?

It still is pretty small!!!!!!!

[sapphire]

Based on the second one fancypants posted, not all had full length handles.  I remember mother having one similar to this, but only one 'flare' to hold on to.  The OP mentioned their's is 1 3/4" x 1 ", mine is just 2" x 1" although mine has the hook which allows it to rest on the cup lip.
I think the wide flare would allow for more control for straining as mentioned by wayward where the long handle combined with the hook is more suited to a 'drip' process.

[fancypants]

There have been silver wire-basket tea strainers that have a handle that detaches , which was/is another unanswered speculation (about any 'wear marks') for this item .

Another thing that might be missing (wear marks , again) is a stand , as in image below .

Thomas Sullivan , an American tea-dealer , in an attempt to save some money , decided to ship tea samples in little silk bags (instead of in the pricey tins) , in 1908 .
Since that time , the 18th through early 20th century production & popularity 'craze' abated itself , in favor of the tea-bag .

Many producers in Asia , S. America & the Middle-East produced tea strainers through this time period as 'collectable items' & there were scads of novel-motif/designed strainers .

I had a little one that was a doormouse (after "Alice in Wonderland") .


After really considering the size of the OPs' item , my money is on it being a tea-pot (spout) strainer (hand-held) .

[sapphire]

I'm thinking you're right on with that spout strainer fancy.  Came across these and now am wondering if a wire loop and pins could be missing from the OP's strainer.

[sapphire]

Finally found a pic that shows how those work.