59/226

Pipe tongs were used by smokers to pick embers out of the fire with which to light the pipe. This type of tong was known as 'lazy tongs' as they are extendable so the user did not need to leave his chair to reach the embers. They are made of burnished steel and expand in a lattice action. They are English and date from the early-nineteenth century.

1 pair of lazy tongs: metal (steel); good condition

Pre-MERL list / description – [Victoria and Albert Museum] ‘Ironwork objects for transfer to Museum of English Rural Life, Reading ... No. 43. Lazy-tongs. Burnished steel. English: Early 19th century.', MERL ‘Provisional Group Card’ form – ‘Provisional Group card for: // Date Acquired: // Group: Personal use smoking // Negative: 60/3262 // Period: Lazy-tongs // Place of Origin: Victoria & Albert Museum // Number: 59/226 V&A 43 // Complied by: date: // Typed: // Early 19thc. 13" long [pencil sketch].’

England

1800-01-01 - 1824-12-31

Early-nineteenth century