Tongs 1797 - 1800

"Tongs," crafted by John Vernon between 1797 and 1800, are a simple yet elegant example of silver craftsmanship. The silver tongs, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, showcase a delicate design with a slight curve and rounded ends. These tongs would have been used to hold sugar cubes during the era of tea and coffee drinking, highlighting the refined taste of the time. The intricate details of the tongs, including the engraved floral motifs, speak to the skilled artistry of Vernon, a prominent silversmith of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.