1927/28 MacLellan London Silver Tongs

[silverly]

I interpret the date on these tongs to be 1927/28. The maker's mark looks like E (swan) S. And the amorial looks correct for the MacLellan clan. These tongs are about 10.5 cm's long, and the weight is 29 grams. I'm looking for verification of my information and any additional information that is available. The significance of the motto Think On would be interesting to know as well. Thank you in advance.

[dognose]

Hi Silverly,

Yes, London 1927. The sponsor was Edward & Sons of Glasgow (that's an ampersand rather than a swan).

For more details of Edward & Sons see: http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... ard#p79475

and http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... ard#p79446

Trev.

[dognose]

Here's the Maclellan line:





Source: The Peerage of Scotland: Containing an Historical and Genealogical Account of the Nobility of that Kingdom - 1716

Trev.

[silverly]

Thank you Trev! Would you say these tongs would fall under the classification of Arts and Crafts?

[dognose]

Hi Siverly,

I guess that would depend on who made them, and how they were made. The sponsor's mark of Edward & Sons appears to be overstriking that of another. Although they were manufacturers in their own right, the fact of the overstrike and the London assay would likely make them, in this case, a retailer only.

To be a genuine Arts and Crafts piece, the tongs would have to have been hand-made using traditional methods and skills. That, of course, may still be the case with these tongs, but one would have to look carefully for signs of hand-made work.

Trev.

[silverly]

Thanks again Trev. I see no signs of hammer work. The sponsor's mark looked overstruck or chattered to me too. Overstruck appears most likely. Must be just a nod to the Arts and Crafts movement and or the style of an earlier century. I do admire them, so that will have to be good enough.