These are a lovely pair of shaped, bright cut tongs. The cut-in shoulder is engraved with a delicate pattern and the pattern extends down the lengths of the arms. The bowls have a little swirl to the top half, a feature that is also seen on other tongs by Richard Morton. The tongs are hallmarked with the marks for large work, rather than the normal marks seen on sugar tongs. Usually the date letter is in a small cartouche, surmounted by a crown. In this case the crown is punched separately which is the mark you would see on larger pieces. Richard Morton & Co. were also plate-workers & this may have something to do with it. I have also seen tongs of this shape and style made in old Sheffield plate but un-marked. These particular tongs are clearly dated 1778.