Tongs strange marks

[robert12]

Hi,
these tongs appear to be Georgian period and may be gilded on silverplate or even maybe brass.
Great set of odd marks to determine please.

https://db.tt/AqQbbQdZ
https://db.tt/xWOFumQM

Bob

[dognose]

Hi Bob,

As said, a great set of marks. As so often with pseudo's, I think the maker always intended to be, and will remain, anonymous (but how I would love to be proved wrong). These particular marks are clever, as if challenged, the maker could claim they were a basket of flowers, a dog, fler-de-lys, flower, and B, but the eyes of the unknowing would have been drawn immediately to the "Lion" and "Anchor" and this bargain pair of silver tongs snapped up.

Trev.

[robert12]

Hi Trev,
A nice pair of tongs, feel and look as though they have been kicking about a while.
A collectable aged pair if nothing else and now in my unconfirmed box.
At least the marks are well struck and not rubbed away.
You have to give a bit of credit to the maker no matter how dubious his intentions.

Bob