Irish Serving Tongs, 1791

18th century Irish silver tongs are quite a rarity and with the lovely bright-cut engraved decoration this makes a handsome pair. They are unusual in their shape and manufacture, presumably because they are a particularly early pair, and this might be accounted for by the fact that they were commissioned by an Earl - as evidenced by the cockatrice crest with five point coronet to the outside of the bow - presumably to follow current London fashions. They have corrugated arms with a lip to one and a restrainer bar around the central section. Fully hallmarked for William Law to the inside of the bow, these rare serving tongs are in fine condition.