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This is a pair of slim, lightweight steel curling tongs from the eighteenth century. They would be heated to curl hair. They were given to Lavinia Smith by Joseph Besley, a blacksmith whose ancestors had been blacksmiths and wheelwrights in East Hendred.

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

Lavinia Smith No. 459., Lavinia Smith Catalogue (D60/28) - 'A list of the contents of the East Hendred museum. July 5 1940 // 459. An 18th century pair of curling tongs, brought to me by Joseph Besley whose ancestors have been blacksmiths and wheelwrights of the village since the 18th century and members of the family still maintainbthese [sic] crafts in spite of the changed conditions of village life.' (note that 'members of the family' is handwritten in ink and is inserted into the text.)

1700-01-01 - 1799-12-31

Eighteenth century

Rippon, Miss Dorothy May Lyddon (Agent)