posted 11-22-2011 05:43 PM            

Hi to all,

This is my first post so sorry if not everything is correct according to the guidelines. (If there are any issues please let me know and I will try to correct them.)

I have this sugar tongs with this exact pattern :

However I'm looking for the "name" of the pattern. It has the French Minerva mark and the Puiforcat mark I have checked search online and auction site for similar images that match this pattern but cannot find any. I am very curious to find out the pattern since I have searched a lot and only found similar patterns but not this exact one making it an interesting find.

Thank in advance for any help,
Al

posted 11-23-2011 05:37 PM            

This is a reproduction of an 18thC pattern. Puiforcat called it Louis XIV #28 violon coquille, translated as fiddle shell. This information is from early 20thC Puiforcat catalogue pages published by David Allan in his book about 19thC French flatware (p.372).

Since the 18thC when fiddle shell first appeared in France, this pattern has been one of the most enduring world-wide. In the English-speaking world it is often called King’s pattern. Just about every major flatware manufacturer has made a version of fiddle shell.

posted 11-24-2011 12:53 AM            

Could you please take another look at the Forum guidelines in the yellow box above. We ask new folks here to please take a moment to introduce themselves just a bit. Do you collect silver? Is this pattern of flatware one that you have a particular interest in? Are you asking for identification of your tongs in research for selling them? Could you please provide a closeup photo of the markings?

posted 11-24-2011 06:46 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Kayvee:
Hello and welcome to the Forums. This is a reproduction of an 18thC pattern. Puiforcat called it Louis XIV #28 violon coquille, translated as fiddle shell. This information is from early 20thC Puiforcat catalogue pages published by David Allan in his book about 19thC French flatware (p.372).
Since the 18thC when fiddle shell first appeared in France, this pattern has been one of the most enduring world-wide. In the English-speaking world it is often called King’s pattern. Just about every major flatware manufacturer has made a version of fiddle shell.
Enjoy your new find!

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Hi Kayvee,

posted 11-24-2011 06:55 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Kimo:
Hello and welcome to the Silver Forum.

Could you please take another look at the Forum guidelines in the yellow box above. We ask new folks here to please take a moment to introduce themselves just a bit. Do you collect silver? Is this pattern of flatware one that you have a particular interest in? Are you asking for identification of your tongs in research for selling them? Could you please provide a closeup photo of the markings?

Thanks,
Kimo
Contributing Editor

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Sorry about that,

Hi all,

My name is Al and just recently started going to yard sales and auctions to find interesting things. Not silver in particular just anything that peaks my interest. This particular piece (hopefully will be able to post pictures) looked very cool with the claw shaped ends of the tongs. I never heard of Puiforcat before so it was nice to do some research and to learn the history of the maker.
Thanks,
Al

posted 11-24-2011 11:53 PM            

If you like sugar tongs and really want to get hooked on them by seeing some really incredible examples, one of our members just posted a few photos from his collection on the General Silver section of this forum here:

Russian sugar tongs