Items Similar to English Sterling Jester
Ouroboros Snake Sugar Tongs, Birmingham 1887
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 13
English Sterling Jester
Ouroboros Snake Sugar Tongs, Birmingham 1887
$1,120
£850.28
€980.24
CA$1,584.39
A$1,705.74
CHF 913.46
MX$20,553.62
NOK 11,525.33
SEK 10,547.54
DKK 7,324.73
About the Item
Victorian Sterling Silver Jester
Ouroboros Snake Sugar Tongs, Birmingham 1887, by Joseph Willmore
An extraordinary example of Victorian novelty silver, this figural pair of sterling sugar tongs was crafted in Birmingham in 1887 by Joseph Willmore, a silversmith celebrated for his inventive and refined small work.
The central figure is a finely cast court jester (Harlequin), depicted with remarkable detail in his diamond-patterned costume and ruffled collar, embodying both wit and theatrical play. The handles are formed as intertwined ouroboros snakes, each biting its own tail, an ancient symbol of eternity and renewal. The terminals are leaf-shaped bowls, completing a design at once playful and symbolic—a hallmark of late Victorian taste for allegory and humor in domestic objects.
Fully and clearly hallmarked with the Birmingham anchor, lion passant, date letter for 1887, and the maker’s mark JW for Joseph Willmore, the tongs combine both exquisite artistry and technical precision. Unusual figural themes of this caliber were produced in limited numbers, making surviving examples highly prized among collectors.
This pair would appeal to enthusiasts of Victorian novelty silver, collectors of Harlequin and commedia dell’arte motifs, and connoisseurs of symbolic decorative arts. The condition is excellent with crisp detailing and well-defined marks.
Dimensions: 4.75" L x 2.25" W
Weight: 51 grams
Origin: Birmingham, England
Date: 1887
- Creator:Joseph Willmore (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 4.75 in (12.07 cm)Width: 2.25 in (5.72 cm)Depth: 0.25 in (6.35 mm)
- Style:High Victorian (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1887
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:Seller: T34681stDibs: LU2592346325122
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1996
1stDibs seller since 2017
1,484 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: West Palm Beach, FL
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllPair of Continental Silver Cocktail Muddlers, Early 20th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Continental Silver Cocktail Muddlers, Early 20th Century
66 Grams
A rare and elegant pair of Continental European silver cocktail muddlers, dating to the early 20th century...
Category
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Eastern European Silver Torah Pointer (Yad) with Hebrew Inscription, 1880-1920
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique Eastern European Silver Torah Pointer (Yad) with Hebrew Inscription, c. 1880–1920
An elegant and finely engraved silver Torah pointer (Yad), most likely crafted in Eastern E...
Category
Early 20th Century European Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Monumental George Sharp for J.E. Caldwell
Co. Classical Coin Silver Ladle
By George Sharp, J.E. Caldwell
Co.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Monumental George Sharp for J.E. Caldwell & Co. Classical Coin Silver Ladle with Muse Medallion, circa 1865–1870
A sculptural and exceptional exampl...
Category
Antique 19th Century American American Classical Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Art Deco /Moderne Sterling (.950)
Silverplate Corkscrew, Monogram
S
, 1930
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Streamlined Art Deco Sterling Silver (.950) & Silverplate Corkscrew with Monogram 'S', Circa 1930
Sleek, architectural, and substantial, this vintage corkscrew is a striking example...
Category
20th Century Japanese Art Deco Barware
Materials
Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
Hawkes Sterling Alternating Hinge
Cut Glass Olive
Twist Server, Circa 1930s
By T. G. Hawkes
Co.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Hawkes, Attributed Sterling Alternating Hinge & Cut Glass Olive & Twist Server, Circa 1930s
A rare and unique 1930s sterling and cut glass olive & twist server, attributed to T.G. H...
Category
20th Century American Art Deco Barware
Materials
Sterling Silver
Empire Style Silver
Crystal Swing-Handle Basket /Sphinx Decoration, C. 1820
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Empire Style Silver & Crystal Swing-Handle Basket with Sphinx Decoration, Continental, circa 1820–1850
Measurements: 7" high x 6" wide x 4.75" deep
Interior Measurements of Crystal ...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
You May Also Like
Antique Solid Silver Sugar Tongs/Nips/Tea Tongs Naturalistic, Francis Higgings
By Francis Higgins
Located in London, GB
We are delighted to offer this stunning example of Victorian solid silver sugar tongs/nips made by a fine maker; Francis Higgins in London 1859.
The tongs are decorated with the na...
Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of Antique 18th Century American Coin Silver Sugar Tongs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of 18th Century silver sugar tongs.
In coin silver.
The arms of the tongs stylized as coiling ropes and terminating in figural seashell bowls.
Monogrammed to the middle of the tongs "CR"
The tongs are unmarked (and likely American).
Simply a great pair of early coin silver tongs...
Category
Antique 18th Century American George III Barware
Materials
Silver
Antique early Victorian sterling silver sugar tongs, Exeter
Located in NEWARK, GB
A large pair of antique Victorian era sterling silver sugar tongs.
A relatively plain design, no engraving, they are substantial pair, large with a good weight to them.
They hail from Exeter which is a lesser seen hallmark than London or Birmingham for example.
Fully hallmarked for sterling silver Exeter, 1849, maker John Stone...
Category
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Silver ice tongs with claws and medallions on both sides
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver ice tongs with claws and medallions on both sides. Metal: Silver. Origin: French. Brand: Tête Minerve. Weight: 69.21 grams. Dimensions: 15.5x3cm. Content: 950/100...
Category
Antique 19th Century European Barware
Materials
Silver
Sterling Silver Tongs
By Webster Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a sterling silver tong made by Webster Silver. It can be used for meat, poultry, fish, vegetables and quiche. Even on your dessert table for petit four, cake or fr...
Category
Vintage 1930s American Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Two Art Nouveau Silver Plate Serving Tongs for Cake Pastry Candy, German, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of two beautiful Art Nouveau serving tongs for pastry, cake, candy or meat. These serving piece is in a beautiful design. Made of silver plated metal, it will make a nice addit...
Category
Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Tableware
Materials
Silver Plate
