Video IconDownload Icon
Zoom Icon Click for high resolution

Harlequin Tongs, Silver, Birmingham, London, United Kingdom, ca. 1850-1870.

REGISTERED ANTIQUITY – NON-EXPORTABLE ITEM.

 

Object Detail

 

Sugar tongs were an essential part of the traditional English tea service, used for lifting sugar cubes into delicate teacups. First introduced in the 17th century, sugar tongs developed out of earlier sugar nips, which were designed to cut hard lumps from a sugarloaf. Silver sugar tongs offered both a practical and elegant means of handling sugar cubes without touching them by hand.

 

This particular pair of tongs diverges from a typical scissors-like shape, transforming an everyday tool into a dynamic character reminiscent of those found on stage. Crafted in the Silver material, commonly referred to as sugar nippers due to their scissor-like design, these tongs are crafted in the likeness of a Harlequin, the playful trickster from Italian theatre. The Harlequin figure itself draws directly on the long history of pantomime, a theatrical tradition that grew out of commedia dell’arte in 16th-century Italy. The elongated legs of the Harlequin form the gripping arms of the tongs, ending in claw-like tips specifically designed for grasping sugar.

 

Above his head, the Harlequin’s arms hold two circular handles crafted in the shape of coiled snakes, each biting its own tail. Known as ouroboros, these serpentine rings are rich in ancient symbolism, representing continuity and eternity. In Victorian culture, the snake motif also echoed themes of love and devotion, embodying ideas of unbroken connections, infinity, and the deeper mysteries of spiritual renewal. The tongs capture him in miniature: his tilted body suggests movement, his engraved lozenge-patterned costume renders his identity unmistakable, and his smiling face beneath a jaunty cap brings a spark of mischief to the tea table.

 

As such, these silver sugar tongs are not only a functional object but also a performance in miniature. They reflect the Victorian delight in novelty silver. Lifting sugar with this Harlequin was not just a polite gesture of hospitality but a small act of theatre, transforming an everyday ritual into a moment of play.

 

 

Provenance

 

From a Private Collection in Mumbai, India.

 

Condition

 

Good Condition with minor wear.

 

Dimension

 

 

Literature Comparison

 

 

1.“The History & Use of Silver Sugar Tongs,” Dart Silver Ltd., accessed September 17, 2025, https://dartsilverltd.co.uk/the-history-use-of-silver-sugar-tongs.

 

2.“Ouroboros,” Encyclopaedia Britannica, accessed September 17, 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ouroboros.

 

3.“Victorian Snake Jewellery,” LAPADA Guides, accessed September 17, 2025, https://lapada.org/guides/victorian-snake-jewellery.

 

4.Suzanne von Drachenfels, The Art of the Table: A Complete Guide to Table Setting, Table Manners, and Tableware (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2000).

 

5.“The History & Use of Silver Sugar Tongs,” Dart Silver Ltd., accessed September 17, 2025, https://dartsilverltd.co.uk/the-history-use-of-silver-sugar-tongs.

 

6.“Georgian Silver Sugar Tongs from 1770 to 1820,” Collectors Weekly, accessed September 17, 2025, https://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/guest-column-georgian-silver-sugar-tongs-from-1770-to-1820.

 

7.“Ouroboros,” Encyclopaedia Britannica, accessed September 17, 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ouroboros.

 

8.“Victorian Snake Jewellery,” LAPADA Guides, accessed September 17, 2025, https://lapada.org/guides/victorian-snake-jewellery.

 

 

 

Categories: ,

Request More Images


You can find images of this object above. Click on an image to zoom.

In case you are looking for additional images, please email us at ritesh@indikeauctions.com or use the request form below.

    How to Buy

    Buying at Indike is simple. Our friendly team of experts are always willing to discuss items entered in the auctions and also those that are currently available in our online shop with potential purchaser. All members of our dedicated team are here to help should you need any assistance. Please note that all items purchased are subject to our standard terms and conditions.

    Live Auction
    Indike Live Auction

    Bid live on our website, without additional online surcharges!

    Timed Auction
    Timed Auction

    Bids are open until the window closes. Highest bid wins.

    Online Gallery
    Online Gallery

    You can buy fine Indian art immediately in our online shop.

    Terms & Conditions

    By accessing or using this website, mobile application, or any services provided by Indike, you acknowledge and agree to comply with the following terms and conditions. These terms govern your use of our platform and all content, features, and functionality made available through it. Use of this site is conditioned upon your acceptance of and compliance with these terms. If you do not agree with any part of the terms, you must not use the website or services.

    All content provided on this site, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, and software, is the property of Indike or its licensors and is protected by intellectual property laws. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of any content is strictly prohibited.

    The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and may be subject to change at any time without notice. We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content on the site. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk.

    We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the website without notice, for conduct that we believe violates these terms or is harmful to other users, us, or third parties, or for any other reason at our sole discretion.

    You may not use this website in any way that causes, or may cause, damage to the website or impairment of its availability or accessibility. You may not use it for any unlawful, illegal, fraudulent, or harmful purpose or activity.

    Related products