{"product_id":"early-pennsylvania-wrought-iron-ember-pipe-tongs-18th-century","title":"Early Pennsylvania Wrought-Iron Ember \u0026 Pipe Tongs, 18th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePennsylvania, attributed, circa 1750–1780\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA wonderfully primitive pair of early American hand-forged wrought-iron ember and pipe tongs, attributed to Pennsylvania and dating to the mid-18th century. Forged by an unidentified colonial blacksmith, the tongs are constructed with exceptionally long, slender scissor-form arms joined by an early copper-alloy pivot and terminating in broad, flattened ember-gripping pads.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe handles are especially appealing, each individually drawn and worked from heavy round iron into a large oval finger loop, with the iron returning to the shank in a tight hand-forged curl. Slight irregularities between the two sides, variations along the forged edges, and the gradual transition from rounded handle stock to flattened arms retain the unmistakable character of early blacksmith work.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDesigned for use at the open hearth, such tongs allowed a glowing coal to be lifted from the fire and manipulated safely, including for the lighting of a tobacco pipe—an everyday implement of colonial domestic life transformed here by the blacksmith’s hand into an exceptionally sculptural piece of early American ironwork.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe surface is particularly noteworthy, retaining a deep, dry brown-black patina with oxidation, pitting and generations of handling and hearth wear, beautifully emphasizing the irregularities of the wrought iron. The warm copper-toned pivot provides a striking contrast against the dark iron.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eComparable American wrought-iron pipe tongs survive in the collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, including an example dated 1740–1780, while the Metropolitan Museum of Art preserves a wrought-iron example specifically catalogued as American, made in Pennsylvania, 1700–1800.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePennsylvania, attributed, circa 1750–1780.\u2028Wrought iron with copper-alloy pivot.\u202814½ in. long × 3¼ in. wide.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Folkism Antiques LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67591281508461,"sku":null,"price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0658\/1957\/4381\/files\/0ADB129D-A80C-4107-9F2B-D569D5885893.jpg?v=1790604060","url":"https:\/\/folkismantiques.com\/products\/early-pennsylvania-wrought-iron-ember-pipe-tongs-18th-century","provider":"Folkism Antiques LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}