William Gale "Jenny Lind" Sterling Silver Sandwich or Asparagus Tongs

A pattern developed by Albert Coles in the mid 19th century, Jenny Lind proved a popular period design that was eventually offered by a number of producers and retailers, and made over time in both coin and sterling silver.

This example is marked "Sterling" and "Wm. Gale & Son," who was a major New York City manufacturer, with this particular mark dating 1862-66 according to Dorothy Rainwater in Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers.

A massive piece, it measures 9 1/2" long and weighs a commensurately heavy 5.7 T. oz.

Tongs, one arm ends in a closed and pierced, 3" by 1 1/2", rectangular blade, while the other arm terminates in a similarly scaled three-tine fork.

Akin to asparagus serving tongs, they may have been intended for sandwiches. The matter is unsettled.

Benton Seymour Rabinovitch notes the multiple applications for this style of (English but paralleled in American form) server in Antique Silver Servers for the Dining Table:

"However, still other manufacturers evidently found it more practical to consolidate their inventory and listed 'asparagus or sandwich' tongs in various styles, as well as 'asparagus, sandwich and salad' serving tongs."

One arm is engraved in a large Old English "S" monogram in the reserve area.

In superb condition, these retain sharp pattern detail and have a brilliant, hand polished only, original finish. The arms, as well as the blade and fork, are free of bends or cracks.