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Pipe tongs were used by smokers to pick embers out of the fire with which to light the pipe. This pair is made of steel and the jaws are held together by a spring. The pivot forms a pipe stopper and one handle ends in an acorn. This pair date form the eighteenth century and have the initials 'T.T.' inlaid in brass on the handle.

1 Pair of pipe tongs: metal (steel); good condition

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'Pipe tongs became common about the beginning of the 17th century. They were of two types, the larger ones were for picking an ember from the fire with which to light a pipe, and small pocket tongs were for picking up smouldering tinder. These are an example of the first type. They are made of steel and the jaws are held together by a spring fitted between the handles. The pivot forms a pipe stopper. The jaws and one handle terminate in round plates and the other handle in an acorn knob. The initials T.T. are inlaid in brass on one of the handles. // The tongs measure 18 inches in length.', Victoria & Albert Museum No. M116, 1914.

1700-01-01 - 1799-12-31

Eighteenth century