These elegant sterling silver tongs by Manchester Silver exemplify the refined American flatware traditions of the late-19th — where function was never allowed to outshine ornament.
Crafted with a long, gently tapering handle, the upper terminal is richly engraved with scrolling florals and foliage, framing a scripted monogram cartouche that would have personalized the piece for its original household. This sort of engraved detail wasn’t an afterthought—it was expected in a well-appointed dining room, where even serving implements carried decorative authority.
The working end is particularly striking: broad, scalloped jaws pierced with flowing flame- or leaf-shaped cutouts, allowing delicate control when lifting sugar cubes, petits fours, or garnishes. The pierced work lightens the visual weight while showcasing the silversmith’s precision, and the softly contoured edges give the piece both strength and grace.
Manchester, long associated with finely finished sterling produced in Providence, Rhode Island, was known for exactly this balance—durable silver meant for daily entertaining, yet handsome enough to hold its own among more formal table settings.
Altogether, these tongs are a wonderful example of classic American service silver: handsome, personalized, and impeccably made—the kind of accessory that quietly elevates a tea tray or dessert course without ever asking for applause.
Creator:
Manchester Silver Co. & S. S. (Manufacturer)
Dimensions:
Height: 7 in (17.78 cm)
Diameter: 2 in (5.08 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Sterling Silver
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1890-1899
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1890
Condition:
Excellent
These elegant sterling silver tongs by Manchester Silver exemplify the refined American flatware traditions of the late-19th — where function was never allowed to outshine ornament.
Crafted with a long, gently tapering handle, the upper terminal is richly engraved with scrolling florals and foliage, framing a scripted monogram cartouche that would have personalized the piece for its original household. This sort of engraved detail wasn’t an afterthought—it was expected in a well-appointed dining room, where even serving implements carried decorative authority.
The working end is particularly striking: broad, scalloped jaws pierced with flowing flame- or leaf-shaped cutouts, allowing delicate control when lifting sugar cubes, petits fours, or garnishes. The pierced work lightens the visual weight while showcasing the silversmith’s precision, and the softly contoured edges give the piece both strength and grace.
Manchester, long associated with finely finished sterling produced in Providence, Rhode Island, was known for exactly this balance—durable silver meant for daily entertaining, yet handsome enough to hold its own among more formal table settings.
Altogether, these tongs are a wonderful example of classic American service silver: handsome, personalized, and impeccably made—the kind of accessory that quietly elevates a tea tray or dessert course without ever asking for applause.
Creator:
Manchester Silver Co. & S. S. (Manufacturer)
Dimensions:
Height: 7 in (17.78 cm)
Diameter: 2 in (5.08 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Sterling Silver
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1890-1899
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1890
Condition:
Excellent
