Cased Irish Silver Sugar Nips, Dublin c.1760

These are an exquisite pair of Irish silver sugar nips presented in an attractive fitted case.

The sugar nips or tea tongs are high Rococo in form with very elaborate arms. Irish silver sugar nips are rare and they are generally fragile in nature and can be vulnerable to breaks/repairs, however this pair are in excellent condition throughout. Their fine state is no doubt to some degree due to the late Victorian case that has preserved them safely. The case bears the name of Hopkins & Hopkins, the Dublin retailers.

The finger rings are individually engraved with the original initials "E" and "M" and both are stamped with the Hibernia mark but also a less distinct maker's mark, which appears to be "AS".