John Lampfert entered his first mark on 12th November 1748 as a large-worker. This was followed by another mark in 1749. He is recorded by Heal as a plate-worker up to 1769. Grimwade comments that his mark is usually found on spoons. I have two pairs of tongs, one dated c1780 and the other 1786, (with the incuse duty mark).

I should be said that there is some doubt about whether these marks are really John Lampfert, although it is difficult to identify any other contender. (Thanks Geoff for pointing this out).

I have received a suggestion from someone that these tongs could also be by Jacob Levi. Grimwade records that the only mark registered by Jacob Levi was in partnership with Thomas Evans on 20th February 1784. However the partnership apparently broke up by 11th September that same year when Thomas Evans registered a mark on his own. My anonymous informant suggests that Jacob Levi then registered a mark on his own in October 1784. Unfortunately I don't have access to that information but s/he may well be correct and in fact these tongs could well be by Jacob Levi.