[Mulberry wood sugar tongs] [realia].

[England?], [18th or 19th century?]

1 item in box : mulberry wood ; tongs height: 4 3/4 in.; box: 9 in.

wood

The sugar tongs have an open-work design. A solid capital letter "S" in a rectangular void is followed by a pierced spear, resembling the one in Shakespeare's coat of arms. The ends of the tongs are rounded and have been embellished with a chevron-like carving, not pierced.

The tongs are housed in a pine box which has been covered with a grey-blue paper. Recorded in the upper right corner: No. 23, lot 11. Also written: "Tongs made out of Shakespeare's mulberry tree, given to the Honble. Mrs. Charles Hervey, i.e. Martha Maria (Howard), wife of the Hon. & Rev. Charles Hervey, by the wife of the minister of Stratford." A note in a different hand in the lower left corner states, "Horace Walpole's writing". The hand compares with his script. The wife of the minister of Stratford has not been indentifed. There are several possiblities. A note in yet another hand is on the bottom of the box containing the sugar tongs, "Bought at the sale at Strawberry Hill 1842". This hand appears to be the same as that on an inscription tipped inside the wraparound cover which houses the piece of mulberry tree planted by Garrick at his villa at Hampton Court in honour of Shakespeare.

Object located inside Garrick box, Wood no. 29a.

See file marked Wood no. 29a-d in Curator's office for further details.

Wood no. 29c

ART Inv. 1107