Lunt Silversmiths Early 20th Century Sterling Silver Sugar Tongs - Pineapple Pattern Variant
Flatware - Serving Piece - Sugar Tongs · Lunt Silversmiths (formerly Rogers, Lunt & Bowlen Co.), founded in 1902 in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Lunt is renowned for high-quality American sterling flatware and became a prominent provider of silverware for U.S. Embassies.
Pattern: Unidentified Pattern, possibly a specialized variety or custom design featuring pineapple and pastoral motifs. The pattern includes a highly decorated handle with a detailed scenic repoussé scene.
Type
Flatware - Serving Piece - Sugar Tongs
Maker
Lunt Silversmiths (formerly Rogers, Lunt & Bowlen Co.), founded in 1902 in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Lunt is renowned for high-quality American sterling flatware and became a prominent provider of silverware for U.S. Embassies.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). The piece is solid silver throughout, without base metals or plating.
Dimensions
Estimated length: 4 to 5 inches (approx. 10-13 cm). Estimated weight: 25 to 35 grams (approximately 0.8 to 1.1 troy ounces). Standard individual tea service size.
Description
A charming and highly decorative pair of American sterling silver sugar tongs. These tongs feature a unique combination of a pastoral repoussé scene on the handles and whimsical pineapple-themed grips. The pineapple, a historic symbol of hospitality and welcome, makes this an ideal piece for formal tea service. The craftsmanship shows the transition from late Victorian ornateness to the early 20th-century American obsession with heritage symbols.
Key Features
Pineapple leaf shaped grips; detailed repoussé landscape scene on the handle shoulder; 'Copyrighted' stamp indicating a proprietary design; U-spring tension construction.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). The piece is solid silver throughout, without base metals or plating.
Finish & Decoration
High-polish mirror finish with oxidized accents in recessed areas. Features a cast and chased pineapple-shaped grip. The handle showcases a detailed repoussé scene featuring foliage and figures, with a beaded band transitioning to a slim neck. The style is a mix of Victorian Revival and Early American Colonial symbolism.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The stamp 'STERLING' is clearly visible on the inner arm. A secondary mark 'COPYRIGHTED' and the Lunt 'RLB' (Rogers, Lunt & Bowlen) hallmark consisting of a small lantern icon or a stylized 'L' is partially visible on the narrow neck of the handle.
Construction Details
Multi-part construction involving a die-struck flat handle and investment-cast pineapple terminals. The pieces are joined at a tension-loaded spring bend (U-shape) to provide the necessary mechanical action.
Functional Features
Tensioned U-bend for return action. The 'grips' are designed in a three-pronged pineapple leaf shape to securely grasp individual sugar cubes from a sugar bowl.
Handle & Grip Details
The grips are shaped like pineapple tops (leaves). The main handles are flat and tapered, widening towards the bend to accommodate the decorative repoussé landscape scene.
Craftsmanship Details
Exhibits high-quality commercial silver production of the era. The repoussé work is crisp and the cast pineapple terminals are well-integrated into the design without visible solder seams.
Authentication Indicators
The presence of the 'Sterling' mark alongside the Lunt / Rogers, Lunt & Bowlen manufacturer stamp; appropriate wear patterns at the contact points of the grips; crispness of the die-struck 'Copyrighted' lettering.
Origin & Manufacturing
Greenfield, Massachusetts, USA. Manufactured by Rogers, Lunt & Bowlen (later Lunt Silversmiths).
Era & Period
Early 20th Century (approx. 1900-1920). While the pineapple is a Colonial symbol of hospitality, the manufacturing technique and 'Copyrighted' stamp align with the peak of American industrial silver production.
Age Estimate
Circa 1905-1915 based on the specific Lunt hallmark style and the 'Copyrighted' stamp which was common during this era to protect novel die designs.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the formal social etiquette of early 20th-century American 'Teatime' and the use of specialized tools for every dining task. It highlights the prestige of American silversmithing hubs in New England during the industrial boom.
Condition Notes
Very Good to Excellent condition. The silver retains a bright finish with light surface micro-scratching consistent with age. No evidence of cracks at the spring bend or loss of tension. Minimal tarnish in the deep recesses of the pineapple leaves.
Value Estimate
$65.00 - $125.00 USD. Value is driven by the unique 'Pineapple' figural motif, which is highly collectible compared to standard floral patterns.
Care & Maintenance
Hand wash in warm soapy water. Use a high-quality silver cream (e.g., Wright's) for occasional polishing. Store in a tarnish-resistant cloth bag or chest to prevent oxidation. Avoid dishwasher use.
Similar Pieces
Wallace 'Grand Baroque' sugar tongs (more floral/scroll based); Gorham 'Chantilly' tongs (more scrolled, less figural); International Silver 'Royal Danish' (cleaner lines, no figural pineapple).
Interesting Facts
The pineapple was such a prestigious symbol in early America that hostesses would sometimes rent them for the night to display at dinner parties. Using 'pineapple' silver tools was a permanent way to signal that same hospitality.