Coin Silver Sugar Tongs by Jehiel Clark of Cazenovia, NY Ca. 1820s

Offered is an early 19th Century American coin silver sugar tongs, deaccessioned from a Southern museum, but which were made by Cazenovia/Pompey, New York silversmith and clockmaker Jehiel Clark (1764 or 1781-1855), who was working in Cazenovia by about 1808 or 1810, and worked for several decades before turning over his business to his son. This piece is marked J.CLARK in a rectangular punch, with a large standing eagle mark that McGrew attributes to a New York manufacturer (Foster). This set of tongs measures about 6 1/4 inches in length and weighs about 49 grams. In addition to the maker's mark struck on each arm, there is a museum inventory number indicating these tongs were given as a gift to the museum in 1966. There is also a period script "W" monogram to the bow. Condition is poor in the sense that one arm has been repaired (see pictures), but otherwise these tongs are good and just need a decent polish. All in all a nice example of this eagle mark and one of Clark's two attributed marks!