While records indicate that sugar first reached British shores in the 12^th century, it was not until the colonisation of the West Indies in the 17^th century that sugar began to feature more prominently in British diets. Even then, however, ‘white gold’ was a luxury available to only the wealthiest members of society, and it was not until sugar prices fell in the late 18^th century that it became a commodity available for mass consumption. 

A drawing of two 18th century sugar loaves

Until the 1850s, sugar was often purchased in large blocks called ‘sugar loaves’ from which smaller lumps of sugar could be chiselled off for use in tea and coffee, or for cooking. This necessitated the invention of an implement that could facilitate the transfer of a small lump of sugar from bowl to tea or coffee cup, and so sugar nips (or tea tongs as they are sometimes known) were born!

Lot 107: A pair of George I silver box hinge sugar nips. 

The earliest known examples date from around 1715 and, while their style evolved, they remained popular until the 1770s, at which point they were replaced by bow-type tongs. Evolutions in design and style can be mapped across these decades, and it is this development and variety which makes sugar nips such a fascinating field for collectors.

Lot 112: A pair of mid-18th century Irish silver sugar nips. 

Georgian silver sugar nips were often custom-made to order, so while many appear similar at first glance, closer inspection usually reveals marked differences in their design, construction and decoration. Prolific makers such as Henry Plumpton, Richard Mills and Gawen Nash produced numerous pairs of sugar nips, but they appear to have experimented with design and decoration, showing great ingenuity and craftsmanship in satisfying the whims and wishes of their clients.

Lot 115: A pair of novelty Victorian silver sugar nips. 

The fantastic private collection of private sugar nips on sale in September 2024 showcases a huge variety of styles, from the earliest ‘baluster’ sugar nips with box hinges, to the 1740s examples with chamfered shafts and the later Rococo examples that were prevalent in the 1760s. As with many larger items of silverware, collectors of sugar nips often seek out examples with interesting crests or monograms, unusual or novelty designs and decoration, or those assayed in specific towns such as Edinburgh, Dublin or London. Condition is also important, with sugar nips free from repairs and damage often fetching a premium.

Lot 141: A pair of Georgian sugar loaf cutters and various other tea-related items