Antique Victorian Plate Asparagus Tongs

• Sheffield, circa 1880 by Martin Hall and Company
• Dimensions: 8 3/4 inches in length

Even though Asparagus was introduced to England during the sixteenth century, it did not become popular there until the early eighteenth century. This was because asparagus was now considered an exotic and an interesting accompaniment to other dishes.

Serving Tongs for asparagus first started to make an appearance around circa 1760. The type of Asparagus Tongs that we are quite familiar with were introduced around circa 1780. The design of them looked like a pair of large sugar tongs with a bar through the middle – what they look like today. By the early nineteenth century, asparagus tongs started to replicate the patterns of flatware that were being made at that time. They had a much broader blade and were often intricately pierced.

Through the years, asparagus tongs have been used in a variety of different ways. Examples of this are helping with many types of vegetables and even sandwiches – anything that can help you get the article off the platter and onto your plate.

An elegant pair of Antique Victorian Plate Asparagus Tongs. They are designed in a wonderful classical style with the handles having an engraved design.