Featured What’s this for…asparagus?

Hi again! This is an old reed and barton serving piece. Monogrammed dates of 1885-1910, so think it might be a 25th anniversary gift. Believe the pattern is Heppelwhite.

it measure 6-5/8” so isn’t huge. Is it for asparagus or something smaller? Thanks again!!

 

Does look like an asparagus server in the Heppelwhite pattern

 

Thx Gma! Have a great Thanksgiving!

 

Sandwich tongs - also used small cakes, pastries, etc.

~Cheryl

 

Of the numerous types of asparagus tongs this type are my favorite. We just had asparagus for thanksgiving lunch. I should have broken mine out. The pictured are not mine just an example. Mine sadly are plated not solid silver.

 

IMO it’s not asparagus specific. The ones I’m familiar with are. I think it’s a general small server tong.

 

Asparagus tongs, other than the individual place tongs, were generally fairly large with tines or piercing to allow some drainage, though manufacturers and retailers would call a piece whatever might sell it (and of course, the owner can use it for whatever they want). This style and size were usually called sandwich tongs, the solid side sliding under small sandwiches or other foods like petit-fours, etc., held in place by the other side, some larger tongs, often scissor-type, were also sometimes called sandwich or pastry tongs, but I've seen those more often in European silver.

From Osterberg's 'Sterling Silver Flatware for Dining Elegance' (1994):




~Cheryl

 

I found a fork-thingie similar to the set on the end in Cheryl's photo. It took a minute for my brain to connect, but the fork was for lox. The OP's doesn't look like an arparagus server, at least the ones I know. Those have grabbers that hold the spears perpendicular to the handle, if that makes sense. And they're curved.

 

Can't say I recall ever seeing a piece specified as for serving lox...

Perhaps you're thinking of individual asparagus tongs? Place pieces intended for a single spear...

https://www.google.com/search?q=ind...OAroQ_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=1536&bih=754&dpr=1.25


~Cheryl

 

Those too. I was thinking more like this one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2343002037...-53200-19255-0&campid=5338722076&toolid=10001