Lot 469
FORRES - A rare pair of Scottish provincial sugar tongs
Auction: 11 February 2015 at 10:00 GMT
£3,500
Description
John & Patrick Riach, marked PR, tower, of Fiddle pattern with engraved script initial to bow and slender pointed oval bowls
Dimensions
Length: 16cm, 48g
Footnote
Forres silver is rare in any form, with only flatware recorded, it appears that only one pair of sugar tongs has been offered for sale before, making sugar tongs amongst the most unusual survivals.
The striking of the makers marks appears to only be PR, rather than the more commonly found IPR, while it is possible that it represents a period when Patrick Riach is working alone it is also possible that it is a poorly struck punch on the curve of the bow.