www.925-1000.com

This is a bit of an oddity. It is 5 inches in length with a spring action. It has one arm with head with four flat ended tines and the other head with a spade like feature. It is not bowled like a spoon but just a flattened curve. It has a Sheffield hallmark for 1820.

The immediate thought is “sugar tongs” but this raises the question; why the two different heads? They come together in a pincer movement, which suggests a scoop and gripping motion. Petit fours or some other sweetmeat is possible, but any other ideas are welcome.

Paul.

I have been reliably informed that they are watercress Tongs. Apparently watercress became hugely fashionable and popular in the early 1800s.

Hi Paul, thanks for sharing this new information, much appreciated.
Cheers,

Peter.

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the information. I, for one, have learned something new.

Trev.

How cool is that! Can we assume by their length that the tongs are for individual use rather than a serving piece? Water cress is hard to eat, so an individual tongs would be useful.

Being of sugar nip size I think that they are for individual use.

Thanks for clarifying!