Manchester Sterling Floral Repoussé Sugar Tongs with Claw Grips, c. 1904–1914 View Watchlist >
- Winning Bid: $40.00
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- High Bidder: dbf1345
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Lot # E566
System ID # 28466169
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End Date
2 Watching
Manchester Sterling Floral Repoussé Sugar Tongs with Claw Grips, c. 1904–1914
Sterling silver sugar tongs by Manchester Manufacturing Co. of Providence, Rhode Island — the early name used by Manchester Silver Co. from 1904 to 1914. One arm carries deeply worked floral repoussé decoration: large open blossoms layered with foliage cascading down the shank in the Art Nouveau idiom that defined American silver of the period. The reverse arm is left plain, a common construction choice for spring tongs of this scale where one decorated face does the visual work. Marked STERLING with the winged-M maker's cartouche on the inner grip.
The terminals are the showpiece — cast three-dimensional raptor claws with finely tooled scale detail and curling talons. Figural bird-foot grips were a favored conceit on late Victorian and Edwardian sugar and ice tongs; Manchester's execution here is crisper than most, with individual scales legible across each toe. Useful for sugar cubes, ice, or olives at the bar.
CONDITION
Good. Tarnish throughout — we'll leave the polishing to you. Spring action remains firm.
DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS
- Overall: 4" × 1.25" × 0.5"
- Weight: 7.87 grams
- Material: Sterling silver
- Maker: Manchester Manufacturing Co., Providence, RI
- Period: c. 1904–1914
- Marks: STERLING with winged-M cartouche
