Mappin & Webb Silver Plated Sugar Tongs
Flatware (Serving Piece / Sugar Tongs) · Mappin & Webb, a prestigious British silversmithing firm founded in 1710 by Jonathan Mappin in Sheffield. Known worldwide for exceptional quality, royal warrants, and luxury silverware, the company expanded globally with prominent London showrooms and became a staple of fine British dining.
Pattern: Plain Fiddle or Old English variation, classic utilitarian Victorian/Edwardian design with unadorned surfaces focusing on clean lines and ergonomic form.
Type
Flatware (Serving Piece / Sugar Tongs)
Maker
Mappin & Webb, a prestigious British silversmithing firm founded in 1710 by Jonathan Mappin in Sheffield. Known worldwide for exceptional quality, royal warrants, and luxury silverware, the company expanded globally with prominent London showrooms and became a staple of fine British dining.
Material
Silver Plate on a base metal, utilizing Mappin & Webb's renowned 'Prince's Plate' (EPNS), which was a proprietary high-grade electroplated nickel silver known for its superior thickness and durability compared to standard silver plate.
Dimensions
Standard sugar tong dimensions, approximately 10 to 12 cm (4 to 4.5 inches) in length, designed for dainty sugar cube handling during formal tea services.
Description
A pair of antique silver-plated sugar tongs crafted by the illustrious firm Mappin & Webb. Featuring opposing miniature spoon bowls and a gracefully arched spring bow, this piece exemplifies the refined utility typical of late 19th-century British dining accessories. The highly polished surface reflects light brilliantly, highlighting the superior quality of Mappin & Webb's signature Prince's Plate. An essential accompaniment to any formal Victorian or Edwardian tea service.
Key Features
Proprietary 'Prince's Plate' branding, crisp maker's stamps, classic spring-bow mechanism, and pristine spoon-bowl terminals designed specifically for sugar cubes.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate on a base metal, utilizing Mappin & Webb's renowned 'Prince's Plate' (EPNS), which was a proprietary high-grade electroplated nickel silver known for its superior thickness and durability compared to standard silver plate.
Finish & Decoration
Bright mirror polish with a smooth, unadorned surface lacking engraving, chasing, or crests, embodying understated elegance.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Clearly marked with the manufacturer's name 'MAPPIN & WEBB', the proprietary trade name 'PRINCE'S PLATE', alongside a shield-encased trademark letter stamp indicating the quality standard and manufacturing timeframe.
Construction Details
Spring-action bow construction formed from a single strip of rolled metal, hand-finished with shaped spoon bowls securely joined to the arms.
Functional Features
Spring-loaded bow action offering resilient tension for securely grasping sugar cubes during afternoon tea service.
Handle & Grip Details
Integrated metal handles featuring flat, tapering arms that flare gracefully toward the terminal bowls for a comfortable and balanced thumb grip.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality British manufacturing characterized by clean edges, even thickness along the spring arms, well-defined stamp impressions, and symmetrical spoon bowls.
Authentication Indicators
The authentic rectangular maker's punch for Mappin & Webb alongside the distinct 'PRINCE'S PLATE' cartouche provides reliable confirmation of maker and period authenticity.
Origin & Manufacturing
Sheffield and London, England. Produced in Mappin & Webb's dedicated British manufacturing workshops upholding traditional Sheffield silver-plating standards.
Era & Period
Late Victorian to Edwardian Period (circa 1880-1910), indicated by the specific typography of the maker's mark and the widespread popularity of silver-plated tea accessories.
Age Estimate
Circa 1890-1910, based on the font style of the 'Prince's Plate' stamp and the manufacturer's operational history during the height of the British tea ritual.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the formal ritual of Victorian and Edwardian afternoon tea, where proper etiquette dictated that sugar cubes be handled exclusively with specialized silver tongs rather than fingers.
Condition Notes
Very Good condition. Surface shows minor microscopic hairline scratches consistent with light use and gentle polishing, with no base metal bleed-through on the silver plate. The spring tension remains strong and responsive.
Value Estimate
Estimated market value ranges between $30 to $80 USD, depending on collector demand, exact condition, and whether it is sold individually or as part of a complete tea set.
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently with warm water and mild dish soap using a soft cloth. Polish occasionally with a reputable silver cream or specialized silver-plated care cloth to maintain the bright finish without wearing down the plating layer. Store in a dry environment away from rubber.
Similar Pieces
Sheffield-plated sugar tongs by makers such as Elkington & Co., Walker & Hall, and Atkin Brothers, which share similar spring-bow construction and silver-plating techniques.
Interesting Facts
Mappin & Webb held numerous Royal Warrants starting from the 19th century, supplying tableware and luxury goods to the British royal family as well as international monarchs.