Skip to product information
Exceptional Pair of Primitive 18th-Century Hand-Forged Wrought-Iron Ember Tongs
1/12
  • Exceptional Pair of Primitive 18th-Century Hand-Forged Wrought-Iron Ember Tongs
  • Exceptional Pair of Primitive 18th-Century Hand-Forged Wrought-Iron Ember Tongs
  • Exceptional Pair of Primitive 18th-Century Hand-Forged Wrought-Iron Ember Tongs
  • Exceptional Pair of Primitive 18th-Century Hand-Forged Wrought-Iron Ember Tongs
  • Exceptional Pair of Primitive 18th-Century Hand-Forged Wrought-Iron Ember Tongs
  • Exceptional Pair of Primitive 18th-Century Hand-Forged Wrought-Iron Ember Tongs
  • Exceptional Pair of Primitive 18th-Century Hand-Forged Wrought-Iron Ember Tongs
  • Exceptional Pair of Primitive 18th-Century Hand-Forged Wrought-Iron Ember Tongs
  • Exceptional Pair of Primitive 18th-Century Hand-Forged Wrought-Iron Ember Tongs
  • Exceptional Pair of Primitive 18th-Century Hand-Forged Wrought-Iron Ember Tongs
  • Exceptional Pair of Primitive 18th-Century Hand-Forged Wrought-Iron Ember Tongs
  • Exceptional Pair of Primitive 18th-Century Hand-Forged Wrought-Iron Ember Tongs
Exceptional Pair of Primitive 18th-Century Hand-Forged Wrought-Iron Ember Tongs
$250.00 USD

Probably English, 18th Century, Possibly Early to Mid-1700s
Original-Appearing Iron Surfaces
Larger: 22” Long | Smaller: 15” Long

An exceptional pair of wonderfully primitive 18th-century hand-forged wrought-iron ember tongs, possessing extraordinary folk art appeal, bold sculptural forms, and beautifully aged surfaces.

Distinguished by their dramatically rounded, outward-sweeping shoulders, substantial pivot assemblies, and long tapering arms, both examples display the wonderfully irregular character of early blacksmith craftsmanship. The larger features a striking angular finial, while the smaller has a rounded finial and gracefully curved shoulders.

Entirely hand-forged without brass fittings or ornamentation, both retain rich, deeply oxidized, original-appearing surfaces with beautiful charcoal-black, warm brown, and reddish patination.

A closely related primitive iron example in England’s Science Museum Group collection, cataloged as probably English and 18th century, provides an important historical comparison.

A particularly handsome and unusual pair of early hearth implements, combining remarkable sculptural presence, exceptional primitive character, and the enduring beauty of traditional blacksmith workmanship.