March 21, 2011

What Are These?

I was opening a package from Scotland today with my friend David, and one of the items had us both baffled. 3-21 003 They are some sort of Victorian-era kitchen implement, but we’ve no idea what. When I mentioned that they looked vaguely gynecological, David turned a rather unbecoming shade of green.

They’re scissor-like, with one end having a closed loop and the other having a fork-sort of end. They’re about seven inches long.3-21 007 The pivot point is marked, but I think it just says the manufacturer’s name. 3-21 004I can’t even begin to describe this to look on the internet to see what they are. 3-21 001 Any ideas?

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25 comments:

  1. Paul AnaterMarch 21, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    Salad tongs?

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  2. KarenaMarch 21, 2011 at 11:41 PM

    My thought was as Pauls some tongs mabe that need the fork end to snag!

    Come and enter my luscious Giveaway for Bath & Body!!

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    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  3. The Devoted ClassicistMarch 21, 2011 at 11:48 PM

    Poultry tongs is my guess, excellent for putting the pieces in the hot frying pan.

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  4. AliciaMarch 22, 2011 at 12:21 AM

    Asparagus tongs: antique, I've seen a pair from Denmark with a similar design before. I can't read the full manufacturer name though so its hard to tell.

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  5. Lord CowellMarch 22, 2011 at 4:46 AM

    I think they were for more generalised table use when serving vegetables in the era when silver service was going
    out of fashion. Asparagus tongs tended to have slender tongs whose end came together in two halves of a cylinder to grasp an asparagus spear neatly, c.f.:

    http://blog.ideasinfood.com/.a/6a00d83451f83a69e2011570980de2970b-pi

    David :-)

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  6. AnneHHMarch 22, 2011 at 7:16 AM

    Toast tongs?

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  7. marnieMarch 22, 2011 at 7:16 AM

    long green bean server or other veggies

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  8. vicki archerMarch 22, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    I am not sure....but be careful! xv

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  9. StitchforkMarch 22, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    Early design of the spork?

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  10. AnonymousMarch 22, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    http://www.leonceantiques.com/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/23/products_id/4342?osCsid=dt6lh6b0so8bpm96jdbgeqf1q2

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  11. maryMarch 22, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    I like Vicki's reply!! But Asparagus comes to mind and the chicken idea isn't too bad. Have a great week. Mary

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  12. ilovelimegreenMarch 22, 2011 at 8:42 AM

    I will check my book on kitchenalia as soon as I get to my office!

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  13. Bonnie GutierrezMarch 22, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    Sausage, hard boiled eggs... something that would roll without the forked side.

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  14. ilovelimegreenMarch 22, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    If they were asparagus tongs, the tongs would be wider; I think this is a pie lifter but I am not positive. "300 Years of Kitchen Collecting" does not have as many illustrations as I hoped.

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  15. Paul AnaterMarch 22, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    My friend Tom swear that they are meat and vegetable tongs. They were for grabbing a hunk of stewed meat and some vegetables at the same time. He included a link to their contemporary counterpart on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Piazza-12-Inch-Buffet-Vegetable-Stainless/dp/B0023W6T8K

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  16. AnonymousMarch 22, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    I believe they were used when food was served at table in the good old days when we had "help". Interesting piece.

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  17. Pigtown*DesignMarch 22, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    Keep in mind that they're only 7 inches long! Too small for salads, and probably meats and veg, too!

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  18. KellyMarch 22, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    They certainly look ominous.
    They're probably a disciplinary tool the hostess used to keep her guests in line if they got a little rowdy.
    Elbows on the table?
    Just give them a little poke.
    Throwing food?
    Give them a grab.
    And so on.

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  19. ErinMarch 22, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    Perhaps they are a pastry tong? The manufacturer is Carl Wusthof of Solingen, Germany. I can't read the other word between those two names though.

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  20. JudyMacMarch 22, 2011 at 1:56 PM

    I think these tongs would be used to serve meat, i.e., slices of roast beef, chicken, pork, etc. Obviously, the sharp prongs are meant to stab something that might otherwise be hard to pick up with a spoon.

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  21. AnonymousMarch 22, 2011 at 2:09 PM

    escargot tongs?

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  22. Hyacinth BucketMarch 22, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    My son Sheridan and his friend Tarquin have several in their collection of antique implements. "Victorian Boudoir Pinching Tongs", he calls them. Not quite sure what they're used for. Some sort of strange continental custom I suppose.

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  23. The Devoted ClassicistMarch 23, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    Woops, the 7" size doesn't support my fried chicken suggestion. (But it shows what is on my mind). The curved element and the tines are both important clues with the small size. Dealers at antiques shows that specialize in silver would be able to tell you, I feel sure.

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  24. Summer is a VerbMarch 24, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    French toast tongs possibly? XXOO

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  25. fayettebelleApril 7, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    I had something similar years ago, ~liberated~ by an ex-roommate. My Gramma said it was a baked potato server.

    Otherwise, I have no clue.

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