Tongs c. 1940s

These tongs, made by an anonymous artist, are a little treasure. The way the silver is worked, it's not just about function, it's about storytelling. Think of them as a canvas, each mark a deliberate choice. Look closely, you’ll see the texture of the metal itself, and how it catches the light. The linear details depict a flower and an idyllic scene of a sailboat, island and palm trees. It makes you wonder, who was the person who decided to etch a scene of leisure onto a pair of tongs? It reminds me a bit of the work of Fred Sandback, who used simple lines to create whole worlds. It's a reminder that art is everywhere, even in the things we use every day. It blurs the line between decoration, utility and art.