Articulated fork / spoon serving tongs

[piette]

Hi all,
Can anyone tell me what these large tongs would have been used for? Made by Laurence Keary in 1822, and retailed by John Twycross.




Thanks in advance,
P

[dognose]

Hi Piette,

I think these are normally described as Chop Tongs or Chop Servers.

How large is this pair?

Trev.

[piette]

Hi Trev,

Many thanks, this is what I thought. The pair are 9" in length, and very interestingly, are clearly made for purpose as opposed to being a rehash of an existing fork and spoon. Also worth noting is the presence of a full set of hallmarks on both the fork and the spoon, plus a heraldic crest on the head of the fork and monograms to the ends of the handles. A very unusual piece indeed!

P

[AG2012]

clearly made for purpose as opposed to being a rehash of an existing fork and spoon

Right, as far as I can see both the fork and the spoon were deliberately made thicker at the swivel for obvious reasons (that part had to be thicker than the rest of the handles for boring a hole, riveting and strong when used).
Regards