51/1185

Pipe tongs were used by smokers to pick embers out of the fire with which to light the pipe. This pair is made of wrought iron and is decorated with an incised pattern. The jaws are made in the shape of hands, and one handle ends with a ring which, when unscrewed, reveals a corkscrew and the other has spring attached to it to hold the jaws together. The pivot forms a pipe stopper.

1 pair of tongs: metal (steel); good condition

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'These tongs were used by smokers for picking embers out of the fire. They are made of steel and are decorated with an incised pattern. One handle terminates in a ring and when the ring is unscrewed, a corkscrew is revealed. The other handle has a spring attached to it which holds the jaws tightly together. The jaws are made in the shape of hands, and their pivot forms a pipe stopper. // The tongs measures 15.75 inches in length. // See also 51/1186.', Victoria & Albert Museum No. M114, 1914.

1700-01-01 - 1799-12-31

Eighteenth century