Russian sugar tongs

[Zolotnik]

Hi all -

after so much fakes lately - here some authentic Russian silver:



Around 1610, ships of the Dutch East Indian Company brought for the first time tea to Europe. A tea-drinking (celebrating) culture with porcellan etc started - until today. The sugar tong was one of the important utensiles to show your taste and wealth while setting a table with nice china and silver.

Here some tongs of my collection, starting 1799 until 1917.
I personally distinguish between different patterns/styles:

Russian style 01




Russian style 02




Russian French style




Russian English style




(admin edit - images resized)

Regards
Zolotnik

[Dad]

Hi, Zolotnik .

I thought, what nippers "a chicken paw" for ice?

[Zolotnik]

Hi Dad -
I know, in today Russia everything is different - before the Revolution sugar tongs were used as sugartongs! The shown Russian French style is no chicken leg but an eagle´s talon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Eagles do not live on a datscha!
For better understanding some photos:

Ice bucket with ice tong (see the different form?)



Chicken´s leg (see the difference?)



Eagle´s talon (see the difference?)



Heads up!
Zolotnik

[Dad]

Hi, Zolotnik.

You have fine sense of humour.)))
May be an eagle, may be a hawk, an owl, a condor and etc. (May be a Superchicken?))
There are no problems. This your right — how to name. But in the catalog Faberge (1893) such nippers are called "Щипцы для льду" - nippers for ice (ice tongs). (â„– 57).

"Щипцы для сахару" - Nippers for sugar piece ( sugar tongs) - № 50.





(admin edit - images resized)

Best Reg..

[Dad]

I am sorry for the big pictures. Thanks the Admin for editing.

[Qrt.S]

Generally speaking, you are right Dad, but you forget one thing i.e. ice tongs are usually at least twice the size of sugar tongs. Look again at the pictures in your catalog and compare.

[dognose]

Hi Dad,

I'm sure that many of us would very much like to see some more images from that catalogue. Would it be possible to start a new post and show us some more of its content?

Regards Trev.

[Dad]

Hi, Trev.

No problems. This "Price-list 1893" in electronic form from internet. Format "pdf". 62 pages. 9 Mb. I can send on e-mail , and you decide what to show in special topic.

Best Reg..

[dognose]

Hi Dad,

Yes please, If you PM the details to me, then I'll see if we can reproduce them on the forum.

Regards Trev.