This is a high quality Pair of Georgian Sterling Silver Sugar Nips in the rococo style. They have oval handles, scrolling arms and shell shaped bowls. There is a faint ghost of a crest on the central pivot but it has been polished away by long years of cleaning and is no longer identifiable.

The sugar nips were made in London by noted silversmith Richard Mills and date to the late George II / early George III period between 1755 and around 1765. Richard Mills registered his first mark at Goldsmith’s Hall in London in 1755. He is best known for his high quality tableware. In 1764 he formed a short lived partnership with Thomas Hannam, which produced some fine candlesticks and salvers, but by 1767 he was working by himself again. He remained in business into the mid 1770s.

Condition is very good, with no dings or dents and just the superficial surface wear that has to be expected after over 260 years of use. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

The nips are 11.2cm / 4.4ins long and 5.5cm / 2.1ins across the handles when closed. They weigh in at a respectable 32.1g / 1.13oz of solid Sterling Silver.

As was standard at this time, the sugar nips are hallmarked with just the lion passant for Sterling Silver and the R.M makers' mark for Richard Mills, which are on the sides of both the handles.