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Sterling Silver 1871-72 Ice/Sugar Tongs From Glasgow
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Sterling Silver 1871-72 Ice/Sugar Tongs From Glasgow
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Scottish 1871-72 Sterling Ice/Sugar Tongs. In Original Leather and Gold Stamped/Brass Hinged Box--Starting Price Now Reduced to Move!
The origin of little treasures is often lost with the passage of time. Luckily, in the case of this superb pair of tongs, identification was strongly facilitated by the original Bordeaux-colored presentation box it came in. from Murray, a jewelers located at 39 Sauchiehall Street, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Please refer to the series of photographs I have taken as they form part of the description.) The level of craftsmanship is awesome. The tongs measure 5 1/4 inches long and 6/8ths of an inch in tall. This piece of sterling silver weighs 1 1/4 ounces, or 40 grams. It is monogrammed M.C. at the base. T is a space of 1 6/8ths inches between the spoon-shaped grabbers, which are also quite flexible, so that the tongs may be used either to hold sugar or ice. The spoon tips are surprisingly sharp. They carry four stamps, used between 1871 and 1897: 1) The Tree Fish & Bell; the Lion Rampant; the Date Letter "A" (for 1871-72), and the Regent's Duty Mark (p. 573, Jackson's Silver & Gold Marks of England, Scotland and Ireland (2000 ed.)). In addition, it carries the Maker's Mark: "J M & Co." which I suppose means it was produced either by a silversmith in Murray's employ who would, in that case, remain unidentified, or possibly by a member of the Murray family who was a silversmith in the Murray company. You will notice from the photo of the marks that t is an additional, very faint, mark, that appears to be a "M", as far as I can see, but I'll leave it for you to decide. The latter possibility appears more likely, as t is a Glasgow goldsmith listed in Jackson's as John Murray, whose earliest recorded work was listed as being in 1818 (p. 577), and his craft may well have been continued by successive generations of his family. T are also numerous J.M. silversmiths listed in Glasgow (and for provincial goldsmiths registered at Glasgow). Given the identification of the box with the Murray name and the J.M. & Co. maker's mark, I feel adequately confident to conclude that the item was produced exclusively for, or by, Murray's. I have been in contact with an archivist of the Incorporation of Goldsmiths in Edinburgh. If she is able to identify the maker's mark I will revise this listing accordingly, and I appreciate her efforts on my behalf. The condition is pristine. Aside from a few tiny surface scratches, it spears these tongs were hardly used, and have undoubtedly benefited from being stored between the box's interior fabrics of cushioned silk (which is stained) and wine-colored velvet. The kid leather box closes securely as it retains both of its original two brass hooks and eyes. I know I have gone into describing the box in great detail, but it is in and of itself such a work of art. Thank you for viewing this auction, and please browse my others. My selling focus is on top quality objects that hold both intrinsically aesthetic, as well as investment, value, so add me to your favorite sellers for reference use as well! I welcome questions, so please contact me via My Messages, or by telephone, at , if you have any. My motto: "Bid with confidence. My family has been in the fine art and antiques businesses for over seventy years." SELLER FEEDBACK: My seller feedback is 100 percent positive. MY POLICIES: Please read before bidding. INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS: I welcome international bidders, who should contact me via My Messages (or by telephone at -USA-), in sufficient time before the listing's end time concerning payment and shipping arrangements. Please let me know if I may be of further assistance. I ship worldwide. PAYMENT. You must inform me within 24 hours how you intend to pay, and whether you want insurance. Otherwise the sale is void and the item will be relisted. Payment is required within seven calendar days of the time the item ends, or the sale is void, and the item will be reslisted, or offered to the second highest... 
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