Antique copper tongs

Hello

This will probably be an easy one. What are these for? I found similar described as fire tongs, but the ends were bent at a different angle.

8.5” when closed.

 

I'm seeing similar online as fireplace tongs?

(I'm not convinced.)

 

Agreed. I would think to short for fireplace tongs?

 

They look medical to me. Veterinarian.

 

Kind of similar.........coal tongs?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295502806601

 

For coal makes more sense.

 

Fire tongs? Coal tongs? Your hand would be very near to the flames, and even though they are only there very briefly, copper isn't exactly the best thing to be holding when it get a bit hot!
I'd be more inclined perhaps to think that they are something to do with food preparation, though of course copper is itself poisonous.

 

nice tongs !!!
very artsy ...

 

a lot of old sets had small tongs......

u get in and u get out...quick !

 

What does that thing look like closed? I did see one online called fireplace ember tongs, though I don't know why you might want to move one ember at a time.

 

large embers can jump to of the pile.....that's why you need a fireplace screen....

 

As my user name suggests, I am used to getting my hands near to the fire, but there is also a reason that I make fire tongs etc. about two feet long!

 

To light a pipe, or perhaps another pile of tinder & kindling?

 

It looks to me like there is a flat across the top of the handles when closed, suggesting it stands like that. But the other ends look bent too far inwards to meet squarely, which is going to make it more difficult to pick something up. Maybe they got accidentally bent inwards at some point? Don't know how that would happen.

 

I noted that, too, MOS...but can't imagine a function to take advantage of the form.

 

They look so vintage and classy. But heavy for sure. How much do they weight?