Sugar tongs (part of a four-part coffee service)
Wilmington, Delaware
c. 1808
Maker
Thomas McConnell (1768–1825)
Measurements
6-1/4 in x 1-1/2 in x 1 in
Materials
Silver
Credit Line
Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of Mrs. Earle R. Crowe
Accession Number
1972.111
Inscription
The inside of one arm of the tongs bears the "M:CONNELL" hallmark in raised letters within a recessed rectangle. The outside of the arm has "AJ" engraved in script into the end. "M W.C. 1847" and "1806 MCC 1876" are engraved in script at each side.
Provenance
Ex coll. Mrs. E. Tatnall (Mary Corbit) Warner. The sugar tongs are part of the coffee service, accession nos. 1972.108-110, that was made at about the time of Ann Jefferis's marriage to David Wilson Jr. in 1808.
Comments
The U shaped sugar tongs is made of a wide strap bent to shape. The arms taper to oval spoon-like bowls. The outside of the tongs has bright-cut decoration along the edges.
Bibliography
Ian M.G. Quimby, American Silver at Winterthur (Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1995), cat. 408.
