A pair of 17th century wrought iron ember tongs, made with two openings, and a pricker to assist in cleaning the compacted old tobacco from a pipe's bowl; decorated with typical blacksmiths workings along each arm. Although the pricker is likely to be a later replacement it is interesting that this sophistication was offered as early as the seventeenth century.
Reading Alastair Leslie's 300 Years of Tobacco Stoppers and it seems that the combination of tools for smokers went back to around the date of this piece and endured throughout the eighteenth, usually a pricker was held within the stem of a stopper. There is an interesting stamped mark to one grip that appears to be a crown over two initials.
20 inches long.
For a very similar example, dated 1673, see Domestic Metalwork 1640-1820 by Rupert Gentle and Rachael Field, p.330.
Item Code: 4786
£ 625
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