William Cripps or William Chatterton
(or William Cattell)

There are 3 pairs of tongs on this page, the first two are rather different from the third, heavier and carry a slightly different mark, so it is possible they are not by the same maker. It is also possible they merely indicate different fashions at different periods of his career. William Cripps is very early in the era of tongs, and this may mean that none of the tongs are his, though the high quality of the first two may indicate that they are. The mark on the third pair resembles that of Chatterton more closely than the others in some respects, but the flaw over the W is in the same place as that illustrated by Grimwade for Cripps. The similar flaw on Chatterton's punch is further to the right, over the C, however this one also lacks the wavy bottom of the flawed Cripps punch.

1.

Makers mark Entered 1746

These tongs are exquisite. As well as the casting and piercing they have bright cut engraving on the strap-work and the bow. Cripps is noted in Jackson for the quality of his work and this supports him as the maker, though it is possible they are William Chatterton or just possibly William Cattell. In perfect condition the lion passant bridges the joint between the arms and the bow on one side, proving the join is original not a repair. The join on the other side is less obvious, but is just visible above the makers mark - see above. The lion passant stamp has a rounded bottom indicating it was pre 1756 (and should be pre 1740) unless it is not a London piece. The bow has a monogram of  F over M R which is very crude and amateur looking. It was probably done at a later date and definitely by a different hand! Amazing that someone should have subjected such an outstanding piece to such inferior engraving.

Weight: 1 1/4 oz,
Length: 5 1/2 ins

Lion passant- flat bottom stamp - very curly tail                                        Monogram to bow- crude engraving

2.

Makers Mark                with Pellet              

Another pair with very fine decoration and unusual bowls resembling daisies. This pair have had a reinforcing or repair plate inserted inside one arm which could be contemporary with manufacture and is certainly not recent.  The monogram A E is in an unusual place on one side of the bow, just above the original joint. It is small, neat and well executed and may have been done by the maker. The end of the bow carries a styalised daisy, making it an impractical place for a monogram.

Weight 1.5 oz 
Length: 5.5ins

                  Monogram A E to side of bow in unusual place.                                                                      Decorated end of bow

3.

Makers mark       Punch has a defect at the top

These tongs are very much plainer in style than the ones above. They also weigh rather less at just 1 oz. The makers mark has a distinct flaw above the W and the pellet is very difficult to see. This indicates they were either from a different period in the makers career or possibly by a different "WC", my feeling favours the later option but it is impossible to be sure. Grimwade illustrates similar defects in one of the punches of both Cripps and Chatterton, just to confuse the issue further!
There is a repair to one of the arms.  The owners initials, AH, are engraved on the shoulder of the arm below the bow, which like the arms is plain.

Weight: 1 oz
Length: 5 1/2 ins

Initials on Shoulder of Bow                                                                                   Sterling Mark

4.

The mark on these is exactly the same as on the first pair on this page, but the style is much closer to the third pair. The casting is very good quality and the join between the bow and the arms is almost invisible. Remarkably for such a delicate pair of tongs they are in perfect condition, completely without flaws repairs or re-enforcement. The bow is completely plain and there are no monograms or crests anywhere. The style and lack of engraving or decoration gives the impression that these may be very early.