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Author	Topic: Russian sugar tongs
Postnikov Posts: 133 Registered: Nov 2009	posted 11-24-2011 12:33 PM [01-2992] Around 1610, ships of the Dutch East Indian Company brought for the first time tea to Europe. A tea-drinking (celebrating) culture with porcelain etc started - until today. The sugar tong was one of the important utensils to show your taste and wealth while setting a table with nice china and silver. Here some tongs of my collection, starting 1799 until 1917. I personally distinguish between different patterns/styles: Russian style 01 Russian style 02 Russian Frenche style Russian English style 01 Russian English style 02 Regards Postnikov IP: Logged
agleopar Posts: 850 Registered: Jun 2004	posted 11-24-2011 03:15 PM Postnikov Very nice, I like the basket weave and the little spring loaded one for technical reasons - like them all really. Which is your favorite? It is rare to see these in use today on this side of the pond, only the most formal of houses. Perhaps because lump sugar is rarely used. IP: Logged
Postnikov Posts: 133 Registered: Nov 2009	posted 11-24-2011 04:00 PM Hi agleopar - we use them every day - but we celebrate coffee- or tea drinking a little, with porzellan etc. - no paper cups... My favorite is difficult to say. From the Russians the enamel tongs, from the others the harlekin IP: Logged
Polly Posts: 1970 Registered: Nov 2004	posted 11-24-2011 04:24 PM How wonderful! Thank you for showing them. IP: Logged
Roger Nevling Posts: 58 Registered: Oct 2005	posted 11-30-2011 09:58 PM Very nice collection Postnikov. I collect English and American tongs. I have found that they are easy to store, relatively easy to find and still rather inexpensive. There arent' too many silver items from the 1700s that are as colllectable while not breaking the bank and some of the workmanship is very nice. I have gotten a huge amount of information from Graham Hodges and Dr. Shlosberg on the English items but I haven't found a good book on the US ones. I see Russian tongs for sale once in a while but they seem to be slightly more expensive and I have little to no knowledge on Russian items. It was therefore very nice to see your tongs. Is there a reference book on the subject? Thanks again. Roger IP: Logged
salmoned Posts: 336 Registered: Jan 2005	posted 12-01-2011 06:52 PM Lovely tongs. I always wonder if tongs with a massive bend were meant to pulverize recalcitrant lumps. I can only imagine what you're holding back from us. IP: Logged
Postnikov Posts: 133 Registered: Nov 2009	posted 12-02-2011 09:32 AM Hi Roger - thank you for your interest! No - there is no reference book - you have to find out yourself... If you want to start collecting Russian sugar tongs beware of the fakes and watch for the Baltic provinces (Riga, Tallinn)Latvia and Estonia. Very nice silver. In my opinion sugar tongs are underestimated by collectors - but there exist very fine samples from all countries.It´s time for a new collection... Regards Postnikov IP: Logged

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