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ID #SA1238641
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£895
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Mid-victorian Sterling Silver Asparagus Tongs by Elizabeth Eaton London, 1853
For sale by Sandbanks Antiques
for sale €1,047     $1,137
£895
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2025
Browse dealers 213 items
  • About Us
    Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné
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Mid-victorian Sterling Silver Asparagus Tongs by Elizabeth Eaton London, 1853

19th century
Description

Mid-Victorian Sterling Silver Asparagus Tongs by Elizabeth Eaton | London, 1853

An exceptionally heavy-gauge and finely crafted mid-Victorian sterling silver pair of asparagus tongs featuring broad, rectangular blades with intricate pierced and engraved scrollwork strapwork designed to drain serving juices while securely cradling delicate spears. The action is governed by a robust sprung hinge and a sliding rectangular guide bar stamped with the lion passant hallmark.

The piece is stamped with a full set of English silver hallmarks, including the London assay office date letter S for 1853, the reigning monarch's duty mark, and the maker’s mark EE for Elizabeth Eaton—the distinguished London flatware specialist and widow of William Eaton. A grand and beautifully preserved formal dining accessory representing the pinnacle of Victorian silver craftsmanship.

Length: 26 cm

Weight: 181 grams (5.82 Troy ounces)

Maker: Elizabeth Eaton (EE)

Assay Office: London

Date: 1853 (Date letter S)

Declaration

Sandbanks Antiques has dated these Sterling Silver Asparagus Tongs to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1238641
Description
Mid-Victorian Sterling Silver Asparagus Tongs by Elizabeth Eaton | London, 1853

An exceptionally heavy-gauge and finely crafted mid-Victorian sterling silver pair of asparagus tongs featuring broad, rectangular blades with intricate pierced and engraved scrollwork strapwork designed to drain serving juices while securely cradling delicate spears.

“
The action is governed by a robust sprung hinge and a sliding rectangular guide bar stamped with the lion passant hallmark.
Sandbanks Antiques
fig 1. Victorian sterling silver asparagus tongs featuring wide, pierced scrollwork blades and clear assay hallmarks along the upper arm.
fig 1. Mid-victorian Sterling Silver Asparagus Tongs by Elizabeth Eaton London, 1853

The piece is stamped with a full set of English silver hallmarks, including the London assay office date letter S for 1853, the reigning monarch's duty mark, and the maker’s mark EE for Elizabeth Eaton—the distinguished London flatware specialist and widow of William Eaton. A grand and beautifully preserved formal dining accessory representing the pinnacle of Victorian silver craftsmanship.

Length: 26 cm

Weight: 181 grams (5.82 Troy ounces)

Maker: Elizabeth Eaton (EE)

Assay Office: London

Date: 1853 (Date letter S)

Date of Manufacture

Sandbanks Antiques has dated these Sterling Silver Asparagus Tongs to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1238641
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2025

Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sandbanks Antiques Profile Page

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Victorian sterling silver asparagus tongs featuring wide, pierced scrollwork blades and clear assay hallmarks along the upper arm.
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Archive I Victorian sterling silver asparagus tongs featuring wide, pierced scrollwork blades and clear assay hallmarks along the upper arm.

Mid-victorian Sterling Silver Asparagus Tongs by Elizabeth Eaton London, 1853

Archive II Victorian sterling silver asparagus tongs featuring wide, pierced scrollwork blades and clear assay hallmarks along the upper arm. View II
Archive III Victorian sterling silver asparagus tongs featuring wide, pierced scrollwork blades and clear assay hallmarks along the upper arm. View III
Archive IV Victorian sterling silver asparagus tongs featuring wide, pierced scrollwork blades and clear assay hallmarks along the upper arm. View IV
Archive V Victorian sterling silver asparagus tongs featuring wide, pierced scrollwork blades and clear assay hallmarks along the upper arm. View V
Archive VI Victorian sterling silver asparagus tongs featuring wide, pierced scrollwork blades and clear assay hallmarks along the upper arm. View VI
Archive VII Victorian sterling silver asparagus tongs featuring wide, pierced scrollwork blades and clear assay hallmarks along the upper arm. View VII
Archive VIII Victorian sterling silver asparagus tongs featuring wide, pierced scrollwork blades and clear assay hallmarks along the upper arm. View VIII
Archive IX Victorian sterling silver asparagus tongs featuring wide, pierced scrollwork blades and clear assay hallmarks along the upper arm. View IX
Archive X Victorian sterling silver asparagus tongs featuring wide, pierced scrollwork blades and clear assay hallmarks along the upper arm. View X
Archive XI Victorian sterling silver asparagus tongs featuring wide, pierced scrollwork blades and clear assay hallmarks along the upper arm. View XI
Archive XII Victorian sterling silver asparagus tongs featuring wide, pierced scrollwork blades and clear assay hallmarks along the upper arm. View XII
Archive XIII Victorian sterling silver asparagus tongs featuring wide, pierced scrollwork blades and clear assay hallmarks along the upper arm. View XIII
Archive XIV Victorian sterling silver asparagus tongs featuring wide, pierced scrollwork blades and clear assay hallmarks along the upper arm. View XIV
Archive XV Victorian sterling silver asparagus tongs featuring wide, pierced scrollwork blades and clear assay hallmarks along the upper arm. View XV
Enlarged Archival View
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques
Telephone 07889 139677
Location
Sandbanks
Poole
Dorset
United Kingdom

By appointment only in Poole or London.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified Since Jan 2025
Items For Sale 213
Items Sold 87
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Verified Since Jan 2025
View Dealer Info
Location: Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom, , By appointment only in Poole or London.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified
Jan 2025
For Sale
213
Sold
87
Victorian sterling silver asparagus tongs featuring wide, pierced scrollwork blades and clear assay hallmarks along the upper arm.
Mid-Victorian Sterling Silver Asparagus Tongs by Elizabeth Eaton London, 1853
Ref: SA1238641
Victorian sterling silver asparagus tongs featuring wide, pierced scrollwork blades and clear assay hallmarks along the upper arm.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectServing Tongs
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialSterling Silver
  • ColourSilver
  • MotifsPierced scrollwork, Hinged bridge, Rectangular blades

FAQs

Specialised dining implements like asparagus tongs gained widespread popularity during the nineteenth century due to expanding formal dining etiquette in Victorian Britain. Craftsmen designed these dedicated tools to allow diners and household staff to serve delicate asparagus stalks without damage.

These utensils were primarily constructed from sterling silver, comprising 92.5% pure silver alloyed with copper for structural durability. silversmiths utilised hand-piercing, casting, and hand-engraving techniques, joined by a central spring bridge or hinge to facilitate a flexible squeezing movement.

Authentic British sterling silver features a distinct set of official hallmarks stamped into the metal. Look for the lion passant indicating sterling purity, the leopards head for the London assay office, a specific date letter, the monarchs head duty mark, and the registered makers mark.

Antique silver serving pieces can be displayed on a dining room sideboard or integrated into a formal table setting as functional entertaining utensils. They can also be curated inside a glass display cabinet alongside contemporary table linens and glassware.

Store sterling silver items in tarnish-resistant cloth bags or lined drawers away from direct humidity to prevent oxidisation. Clean gently using a soft cotton cloth and specialized silver polish, avoiding abrasive pads or harsh chemicals that could damage fine hand-pierced details.
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