Material

iron
metal

Dimensions

Overall: 48.6cm (19 1/8in.)

Creation Date

circa 1750 – 1820

Description

Spring-form tongs with ball-head keeper and circular pads (worn).

Pairs of tongs, long used for picking up hot items and materials, come in many sizes, depending on the intended use. On the robust end of the scale are large wrought iron examples made for moving burning wood within the fireplace, which stand in stark contrast to the frail but attractive silver tongs made for use with a tea service. This wrought set is slightly unusual in that it includes a broad circular spring joining the legs, which are further goverened by a ball-headed keeper. It could have been used for cooking meat or fish just as easily as it could have been used to fetch an ember to light one's pipe.

Provenance

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Gift of Michael Weber.

Kitchen Artifact ID

Acc. No. 2016-100