• Narrow metal “tongs” with flat ends are ideal for clamping and curling hair.
• The flat design allows the metal parts to be heated so that they retain heat and curl the hair.
Material:
• The silver handle is not only a decorative element, but also a heat insulator so that your hands do not burn when the metal part is heated.
Era:
• Such tools were popular in the 19th - early 20th centuries.
• Hair was curled manually by heating the tongs over an open fire or on a stove.
This is an antique curling iron dating from the 19th to early 20th century, made from high-quality British silver. It was part of a lady's toiletry kit and was used to create fashionable curls.
Explanation of hallmarks
1. “G.W.” are the initials of the manufacturer. In this case, it is most likely George Wish, a famous English master jeweler from Sheffield, who worked in the late 19th century.
2. A lion with a raised paw (walking lion) is a symbol of British 925 sterling silver. This sign guarantees the high quality of silver.
3. The Gothic letter “a” is a date letter. According to the British hallmark system, the Gothic “a” corresponds to 1898 for items tested in Sheffield.
4. The anchor is the official symbol of the Birmingham Assay Office.
This symbol has been used since 1773 to mark silver items that have been hallmarked in Birmingham.
• Country: UK
• City: Sheffield
• Year of manufacture: 1898
• Manufacturer: George Wish