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ID #SA1227484
FOR SALE
£265
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Rare George IV English Novelty Silver Harlequin Monkey Sugar Tongs C.1830 Dee & Fargus
For sale by The Fancy Fox
for sale €310     $337
£265
The Fancy Fox

The Fancy Fox

Sellingantiques Verified Since Nov 2015
Browse dealers 149 items
  • About Us
    Offering fine porcelain and pottery, 18th century and later, silver, glass and other small attractive pieces
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Id #SA1227484
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Rare George IV English Novelty Silver Harlequin Monkey Sugar Tongs C.1830 Dee & Fargus

18th century
For Sale by The Fancy Fox
Description

An amusing pair of early 19th century English sterling silver sugar tongs modelled as monkey dressed as a harlequin, holding two hoops above his head formed from coiled snakes. Very finely cast detail throughout. He is stood on a pair of scooped acanthus leaves to form the ends. Hallmarked for London with the lion passant and makers mark for Thomas Dee & John Fargus, c.1830.

There are much later, and continental copies of these Harlequin tongs that can be found, but English hallmarked examples of this early period are very rare, usually being late Victorian or early 2Oth century. The definition is usually much poorer as is understandable. This is an exceptionally fine quality example.

They measure 11cm (4 5/16") long and 4.5cm (2 3/4") wide and weigh 45g / 1.4ozt. 

In excellent condition with no damage or repair and minimal handling wear. They open and close smoothly and firmly.

Declaration

The Fancy Fox has dated these Silver Harlequin Sugar Tongs to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1227484
Dealers Internal Reference
RA1126
Dealers Notes

Payment is accepted by bank transfer, card payments (via an online invoice, I'm afraid we cannot take payments over the telephone), Paypal and UK personal cheque. If you prefer to pay card payments by Stripe rather than Paypal, please go to our website where we offer that option and additionally options to "Pay in 30 days" and to pay in 3 instalments, all securely supported by Klarna.

Price includes UK postage. We ship worldwide for a small cost, please ask for details.

We wish to ensure all our customers are happy with their purchases and offer a full no quibble return policy for all items returned within 14 days. We ask that returns are notified within 7 days where possible. Return postage is the buyer's responsibility in terms of cost and safeguarding the item in transit.

In the unlikely event any damage has occurred during shipping please advise as soon as possible and within 2 days of receipt at the latest. If you cannot inspect the item within those 2 days please just let us know.

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Description
An amusing pair of early 19th century English sterling silver sugar tongs modelled as monkey dressed as a harlequin, holding two hoops above his head formed from coiled snakes. Very finely cast detail throughout. He is stood on a pair of scooped acanthus leaves to form the ends. Hallmarked for London with the lion passant and makers mark for Thomas Dee & John Fargus, c.1830.
fig 1. A George IV sterling silver novelty sugar tong designed as a Harlequin figure holding circular ring handles above its head.
fig 1. Rare George IV English Novelty Silver Harlequin Monkey Sugar Tongs C.1830 Dee & Fargus

There are much later, and continental copies of these Harlequin tongs that can be found, but English hallmarked examples of this early period are very rare, usually being late Victorian or early 2Oth century. The definition is usually much poorer as is understandable. This is an exceptionally fine quality example.

They measure 11cm (4 5/16") long and 4.5cm (2 3/4") wide and weigh 45g / 1.4ozt. 

In excellent condition with no damage or repair and minimal handling wear. They open and close smoothly and firmly.

Date of Manufacture

The Fancy Fox has dated these Silver Harlequin Sugar Tongs to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1227484
Dealers Internal Ref
RA1126
The Fancy Fox
The Fancy Fox
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2015

Offering fine porcelain and pottery, 18th century and later, silver, glass and other small attractive pieces

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the The Fancy Fox Profile Page

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A George IV sterling silver novelty sugar tong designed as a Harlequin figure holding circular ring handles above its head.
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Archive I A George IV sterling silver novelty sugar tong designed as a Harlequin figure holding circular ring handles above its head.

Rare George IV English Novelty Silver Harlequin Monkey Sugar Tongs C.1830 Dee & Fargus

Archive II A George IV sterling silver novelty sugar tong designed as a Harlequin figure holding circular ring handles above its head. View II
Archive III A George IV sterling silver novelty sugar tong designed as a Harlequin figure holding circular ring handles above its head. View III
Archive IV A George IV sterling silver novelty sugar tong designed as a Harlequin figure holding circular ring handles above its head. View IV
Archive V A George IV sterling silver novelty sugar tong designed as a Harlequin figure holding circular ring handles above its head. View V
Archive VI A George IV sterling silver novelty sugar tong designed as a Harlequin figure holding circular ring handles above its head. View VI
Archive VII A George IV sterling silver novelty sugar tong designed as a Harlequin figure holding circular ring handles above its head. View VII
Archive VIII A George IV sterling silver novelty sugar tong designed as a Harlequin figure holding circular ring handles above its head. View VIII
Archive IX A George IV sterling silver novelty sugar tong designed as a Harlequin figure holding circular ring handles above its head. View IX
Archive X A George IV sterling silver novelty sugar tong designed as a Harlequin figure holding circular ring handles above its head. View X
Archive XI A George IV sterling silver novelty sugar tong designed as a Harlequin figure holding circular ring handles above its head. View XI
Archive XII A George IV sterling silver novelty sugar tong designed as a Harlequin figure holding circular ring handles above its head. View XII
Archive XIII A George IV sterling silver novelty sugar tong designed as a Harlequin figure holding circular ring handles above its head. View XIII
Archive XIV A George IV sterling silver novelty sugar tong designed as a Harlequin figure holding circular ring handles above its head. View XIV
Archive XV A George IV sterling silver novelty sugar tong designed as a Harlequin figure holding circular ring handles above its head. View XV
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The Fancy Fox

The Fancy Fox
Telephone 07717 510 870
Location
Suffolk
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/fox
Verified Since Nov 2015
Items For Sale 149
Items Sold 1,641
The Fancy Fox
The Fancy Fox
Verified Since Nov 2015
View Dealer Info
Location: Suffolk, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/fox
Verified
Nov 2015
For Sale
149
Sold
1,641
A George IV sterling silver novelty sugar tong designed as a Harlequin figure holding circular ring handles above its head.
Rare George IV English Novelty Silver Harlequin Monkey Sugar Tongs c.1830 Dee & Fargus
Ref: SA1227484
A George IV sterling silver novelty sugar tong designed as a Harlequin figure holding circular ring handles above its head.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSugar Tongs
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGeorge IV
  • MaterialSterling Silver
  • ColourSilver
  • MotifsHarlequin figure, Textured ring handles, Diamond pattern costume, Scissor action mechanism

This George IV period novelty sugar tongs piece belongs to the Georgian style in sterling silver with a silver colour finish. The object takes the form of a monkey dressed as a harlequin, holding two hoops above the head formed from coiled snakes, with finely cast detail throughout including a diamond pattern costume, a textured hat and ruff, and scooped acanthus leaves at the base. The scissor action mechanism operates smoothly, and hallmarks appear for London alongside maker marks for Thomas Dee and John Fargus, dating to circa 1830. The dimensions measure 11 cm long by 4.5 cm wide with a weight of 45 g. Display this item on a sideboard top in a dining room or drawing room as a conversation piece or tabletop accessory for serving sugar cubes during afternoon tea. The clean sterling silver surface offers versatile placement among antique tableware collections or within a cabinet display.

FAQs

Harlequin sugar tongs emerged during the early nineteenth century as decorative accessories for formal tea services. Crafted primarily during the Georgian and Regency periods, these whimsical pieces reflected a popular trend for figurative and novelty silver dining implements.

These items were typically cast in sterling silver, featuring detailed chasing and engraving to form the Harlequin figure. The circular finger rings and lower grips were joined by a central hinge pin or spring bow mechanism to allow functional movement.

Authentic pieces bear official British hallmark stamps, including the makers mark, sovereign duty mark, lion passant for sterling quality, and date letter corresponding to the George IV era. Detailed figurative modelling and hand-finished chasing also distinguish authentic period items from later reproductions.

Small novelty silver pieces can be displayed inside glass vitrines, placed atop a dining room sideboard tray, or incorporated into a curated bookshelf arrangement alongside antique ceramics and leather-bound volumes.

Clean silver using a soft microfibre cloth and specialized silver polish to remove tarnish without scratching the surface. Avoid abrasive chemicals or immersion in water, and store in anti-tarnish cloth bags to minimise oxidisation.
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