These tongs are just 4inches long, or 10.2cm.  They are properly hallmarked and dated at around 1784. There are very clear joins visible about 4mm up from the bowls. These are solder joins and only really visible from the insides of the arms. The bright cut engraving appears to be whole from the outside. The tongs are about 1.½ inches shorter than one would expect. The difficulty is that of assessing whether the "repair" was made at the time the tongs were made or sometime later. It is very difficult to be sure either way. It is easy to picture these tongs being rather longer and the overall form would look right. At the same time, it is also possible they were made as they are seen. The overall form does not look too far wrong. If pushed I would think it more likely the "repair" was made later and a small piece removed.

These tongs are featured in my book.  click on the picture of the book for details of how to obtain a copy.

To read a paper discussing miniature sugar tongs in more detail, click here.

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