Antique 18th C Wrought Iron Scissor Pipe Ember Tongs Hearth Coal Tool Fireplace

A fine example of a pair of mid to late 18th century wrought iron utility tongs, New England in origin and dating circa 1740-1790.

Tongs such as these used a variety of purposes at the hands of a hearth attendee or estate worker.  

The
scissor action of the piece allowed for the procurement of a small
burning ember, taken from the open hearth fireplace and then used to
transfer said coal to start another fire, or to ignite the bowl of a
long stemmed tobacco pipe.

The
blacksmith who made the piece formed in great finger loops, the
construction of the piece is overall a superb representation of period
domestic utilitarian tools. 

An
almost identical example to this set can be seen referenced in “Early
American Antique Country Furnishings” by George Nuemann, see fig 748 on
page 170.

There
is some pitting to the surface as one would expect from
age, else very good+ with the mechanism opening freely. 

Up for period of one week with no reserve, this great example of early American iron is sold without reserve.

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for visiting The Country Tin and be sure to visit our website store for
other examples of period metalware and country primitives!

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