John Bourne & Thomas Moore III

There are 4 Pairs of cast pierced tongs by these makers on this page. The third, which is by far the most ornately decorated is the lightest, the second may have an over-struck makers mark and the first, just the heaviest and also the plainest, has an extremely deeply struck makers mark which may indicate that it too was over-struck. The bowls on the first two are very similar, the third pair has very different and more complex decoration, and there is just an indication that there may have been another stamp inside one of them. The fourth pair has a similar half daisy/shell decoration at the top of the arms to the third and the mark is also a single strike. This pair is only 5 ins long, shorter then the three above and has a more delicate, feminine appearance.

1.

Makers Mark   Very Deeply Struck

Cast, Pierced tongs with Makers mark very deeply struck. Monogram to bow M * S. Bow also has bright cut engraving and is slightly concave.
Weight 1.25 oz, length 5 ins. Lion rampant an one arm, just!  Makers mark on the other.
Dates 1770 - 1775 London.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

2.

Makers Mark.... Possibly over-struck

Cast, Pierced tongs with Makers mark possibly over-struck.  Bow also has bright cut engraving. No monograms
Small flaw in lower part of one arm
Weight 1.25 oz, length 5 1/2 ins. Lion rampant an one arm.  Makers mark, possibly struck over another mark, on the other.
Dates 1770 - 1775 London.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.

Makers Mark       Clear single strike

Cast, Pierced tongs with Makers Mark very cleanly struck.  Bow also has double thread edge and a wedding/betrothal monogram. Slight signs that there may have been a mark stamped into one of the bowls then filled.
Small flaw in lower part of one arm indicating possible repair but extremely well done as it does not disturb the decoration on the outside of the arm at all.
Weight 1.0 oz, length 5 1/2 ins. Lion rampant an one arm,  Makers mark on the other both clearly struck.
Dates 1770 - 1775 London.

Betrothal/Marriage  Monogram on Bow                                                            Clear Sterling Silver Hallmark

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4.

Makers Mark   Single Strike

Cast, Pierced tongs with Makers Mark very cleanly struck.  Bow also has double thread edge and a wedding/betrothal monogram but this one is engraved sideways. Small flaw in lower part of one arm, indicating strengthening/repair but extremely well done as it does not disturb the decoration on the outside of the arm at all and may be contemporary with manufacture.

Weight 1.25 oz, length 5 ins. Lion rampant an one arm,  Makers mark on the other both clearly struck.
Dates 1770 - 1775 London.

Betrothal/Marriage  Monogram Sideways on Bow                               Clear Sterling Silver Hallmark