1790s English Georgian Sterling Silver Bright Cut Engraved Sugar Nips Tongs

Presented is a wonderful pair of antique English Georgian sterling silver sugar nips or small tongs, dating to around the 1790s. The tongs feature a beautifully hand engraved bright cut design very finely executed along the exterior, with scallop shell form tips. Both arms have an oval cartouche enclosed by bright cut engraving, neither of which has ever been monogrammed. The back of the 'hinge' does appear to have the remnants of an engraving or crest, but it is too worn to make out; this doesn't seem to be a deliberate removal, and the silver is not thinned. This piece is in great condition. The details of the pattern are nice and crisp. The hinge is in good shape, with no signs of stress or metal fatigue. There are no splits, no dents, no breaks, no monogram removals, and no repairs. The tongs are stamped on the interior of one tip with the English lion passant for sterling silver. The other tip is stamped with a maker's mark, overstruck. The tongs measure about 5 3/8 inches long. This pair of tongs weighs 28 grams. -jm