Cast tongs are the first of the bow shaped sugar tongs.  They came immediately after the scissors style sugar nips, (or tea-tongs).  Dates for cast tongs will range from as early as 1765 through to as late as 1801.  Most will be dated between 1770 and 1780.  They were very quickly superseded by standard sugar tongs.  They are usually very ornate and have pierced arms and are made in three parts, the shoulder or bow and the 2 arms.  The process for making these tongs is quite complex as they will have been made from a mold, with the silver poured into the mold, the two arms would then be soldered to a pre-made bow.  Occasionally the arms will not be pierced, but will still have the ornate casting to them.  Cast tongs, made in the Georgian style can also be found, dated in Victorian times, (1850 – 1900).  It is difficult to tell the difference between these and genuine Georgian cast tongs.  The hallmarks are often the only way to tell the difference.

Cast tongs are relatively rare.  They are also very delicate.  Few have survived to today without damage or a repair of some kind.

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