A pair of Edwardian sterling silver novelty sugar tongs by John Bull Ltd, designed in the characteristic form of a wishbone. The piece consists of two tapering, curved arms joined at a central pivot point. An oval-shaped thumb-press is attached to the hinge to operate the spring mechanism. The interior of the thumb-press bears a full set of English hallmarks: the maker mark J.B L d for John Bull Ltd, the lion passant standard mark for .925 sterling silver, the anchor assay office mark for Birmingham, and the lowercase gothic date letter m corresponding to the year 1911.
Weight: 11.39 grams.
Condition report:
The silver displays a natural aged patina with visible tarnishing across the surface. The mechanical pivot is intact and the spring action remains functional. There are no signs of major structural damage or repair, with only minor surface wear and light scratches consistent with age and domestic use.
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