was meant to separate fine powders from lumps.
Look at the crank
Does it turn a small paddle inside? Remove the top if you can and have a look. Many sifters have a thin wire blade that sweeps over the screen.
Examine the handle
Is there a spring, a squeeze lever, or just a fixed handle? Some sifters used a squeeze handle that moved the paddle with each press, instead of a crank.
Look for markings
Check the sides and bottom for a brand name, a city, or a patent date. Many old tins carry stamped or printed information, or the remains of a painted label.
A patent date can often tell you roughly when it was made.
The Place Where You Found It Is a Clue Too
Sometimes the object itself isn’t enough, and the location can tell us more.
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 In a baking drawer or cupboard: it was used
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