Roux: 18th Century French Solid Silver Sugar Tongs Shell-patterned, Bordeaux 1775-76

Large, solid silver Bordeaux sugar tongs from the late Louis XV period, in the rare shell-patterned pattern. Hallmarks include the charge mark (the initial "BD") and discharge mark (profile mask) for small works in Bordeaux from 1775-81, the guild mark (small crowned B and two dots) for Bordeaux from 1775-76, and the mark of the master silversmith Jacques Roux, who was admitted to practice in Bordeaux in 1767. This large sugar tongs, in a rare model, is in good condition and remarkably hallmarked, with minor scratches from use. A must-have for the discerning collector... An oil cruet by Jacques Roux is in the collection of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Bordeaux. Regarding sugar tongs, a simple model by Jacques Roux with fillets is shown on page 202 (Ref 128g) of the reference book "Les orfèvres de Bordeaux" by Mr. De Dromantin. In this work, which lists about ten sugar tongs, the only one with shells on the shoulder is that by Jean Cheret (page 197 / Ref 128f) from the former D. David-Weill collection, highlighting the rarity of this particular model.

Maximum length: 15.5 cm.
Weight: 59.5 grams.