Rare George IV English Novelty Silver Harlequin Monkey Sugar Tongs c.1830 Dee & Fargus

An amusing pair of early 19th century English sterling silver sugar tongs modelled as monkey dressed as a harlequin, holding two hoops above his head formed from coiled snakes. Very finely cast detail throughout. He is stood on a pair of scooped acanthus leaves to form the ends. Hallmarked for London with the lion passant and makers mark for Thomas Dee & John Fargus, c.1830. There are much later, and continental copies of these Harlequin tongs that can be found, but English hallmarked examples of this early period are very rare, usually being late Victorian or early 2Oth century. The definition is usually much poorer as is understandable. This is an exceptionally fine quality example.