French Belle Époque Period・Bespoke Sterling Silver Beast Paw Ice Tongs / With Original Box

French Belle Époque Period・Bespoke Sterling Silver Beast Paw Ice Tongs (Pince à glace) | Original Box A fine piece of silverware from late 19th to early 20th century France (circa 1880–1905), from the era of grand banquets. This piece is entirely crafted from French Grade I Minerva 950 sterling silver, serving as an exquisite utensil for the champagne and cold beverage culture of high society during that period. The body of the tong features the Guilloché (Engine Turning) pattern, highly prized during the Belle Époque, as its base texture. The surface exhibits fine, flowing patterns that create soft, layered reflections under light. A central oval cartouche is encircled by a laurel wreath and neoclassical ornamentation, and both sides are engraved with intertwined, calligraphic personal monograms "P · S," indicating it was a custom piece for a specific family or individual, rather than a standard retail item. The tong's opening presents a rare dual-sided four-claw "beast claw" design, specifically engineered for grasping slippery ice cubes, combining practicality with sculptural artistry. The three-dimensional grape leaf motif at the tip echoes Dionysian and celebratory banquet culture, a symbolic vocabulary characteristic of Belle Époque banquet silverware. The original green leather box is intact, bearing the mark: Heuzelin – Bijoutier – Châteauneuf-Loire, a prestigious jeweler and silversmith from the Loire Valley. Ice tongs were typically workhorses of silverware, making those that have survived to this day, especially with their original named box, exceptionally rare and highly collectible. Sterling silver ice tongs of this type were commonly found with champagne buckets or in cold beverage service, essential yet highly refined items in French upper-class dining culture. Pieces that meet all three criteria—custom monogram × Grade I Minerva × original box—are particularly uncommon among similar silverware. Suitable for antique silver collections, French barware displays, interior decoration, or high-quality still life photography. It can also be used functionally, showcasing a discreet yet elegant French banquet aesthetic. 📏 Dimensions • Length: Approximately 15.5 cm • Weight: Approximately 67 g • The tong body bears the French Minerva 950 sterling silver hallmark • Includes original box (intact) This piece is functional and in excellent overall condition. However, as an antique from the late 19th century, it inevitably shows historical signs of use on its surface. Please purchase only if you are comfortable with this.