English matched set of Silver Plate Sugar Shovel and Sugar Tongs by M. S. Ltd. of Sheffield, England.
Sugar tongs were introduced in the 1690's and resembled steel ember tongs. A typical patterns was made with a wide horseshoe-shaped bow of springy silver linking a pair of slender round arms with wide, escallop-shell grips. The arms might be double or treble knopped at the ends and centre, but the whole design was essentially delicate, intended for lifting the tiny fragments of sugar suited to the small tea-cups of the period. (Small Antique Silverware)
Most likely, the silver plate sugar shovel would be used to transfer larger quantities of sugar cubes from a sugar caddy to a sugar bowl, then the tongs used to remove one or two for personal use.
Both of these vintage silverplate sugar service flatware pieces seem to be in unused condition, with no wear, scratches or other damage to note. They came with (and are being sold with) the original shipping box mailed from Sheffield, England.
The silver plate sugar shovel measures 4.5" in length and weighs .4 ounces (12 grams) and the silver plate sugar tongs measure 4.25" and weigh .8 ounces (22. grams). Both silver flatware pieces are touchmarked with M. S. Ltd. E.P.N.S. SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND.
A1412 - English M. S. Ltd. Silver Plate (E.P.N.S.) Sugar Service Set Silver Plate Sugar Shovel & Silver Plate Sugar Tongs Sheffield, England
$45.00
