18th Century Pipe Tongs

Such long iron spring-tension tongs are called Pipe (Ember) Tongs. They were squeezed and used for lifting a small coal from the hearth to light a pipe.  They are more ornately made than the usual fireplace tongs. They were part of the smoking ritual, along with the pipes and the tobacco humidor and would be found by the fireplace within easy reach.

They also could be used to start a secondary fire from the coals of the banked stove or fireplace fire.  In use, one hand squeezes the tongs to the open position enabling the user to select a coal. The other hand would grasp the tongs on the half loops to steady the tongs and transport the coal or ember to the place it was to be used. Nifty and very effective.  Also quite rare.  The tongs measure 20-1/2 inches long and are in excellent condition.

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