William & John Deane

         Makers Mark                              Unusually with surname first.

William & John Deane registered their first mark together in 1759 and they were registering separate marks after 1768.  These tongs are very heavy at 1.5 oz, and have had a very skillfull repair to one arm with a plate let into the silver. This repair is obviously very early. The bow has an engraved maple leaf design, and there are  betrothal/marriage initials incorporated into one side of the design. The initials are AR over AM and are probably contemporary with the tongs.

Design on bow                                         &  initials 

Inset plate repair to one arm