Lovely Louis XVI Style French Silver Asparagus Tongs

A Beautiful French Silver Asparagus Tongs decorated in the Louis XVI Style.

The ‘Tongs’ has a beautiful chiseled floral décor showing roses, acanthus leaves and ribbons.
On one side it shows a GC Monogram.

It is a ‘Main Pince’ or Silver Asparagus Tongs, for which the original design was created by the Maitre Orfèvre Alphonse DEBAIN in Paris.
Debain was the creator of this very practical model, but other Maitre Orfèvre like Barrier, but also Christofle and Prost soon rushed to propose a similar design.
The Tongs fit perfectly in the hand and are in wonderful condition, with the spring located in the hinged joint still working perfectly.
Though it is meant to serve Asparagus it may also be used as a bread or pastry server.

The Hallmark is Minerve 1 -1st title (950 /1000) – Hence 1838 to 1919 – Paris

The Makers Mark is not legible, but due to the shape of the hinge which is very different from the one used by Debain, this work is probably by Charles Barrier.

France 20th century c.H: 4.25"W: 4.17"Reference number: CC-241