• George Unite sterling silver flamingo sugar tongs with a long curved bill, engraved feathers, a turquoise eye, and ring handles, on a brown book
  • Close view of the flamingo tongs ring handles, both stamped with Birmingham hallmarks, above the textured foot stand
  • Flamingo tongs opened on a brown book, revealing the hidden spoon bowl inside the bill and the separate bird foot stand
  • Detail of the flamingo head with its turquoise set eye and finely chased feathered body, a red stone ashtray blurred behind
  • Silver flamingo tongs standing upright on their bird foot stand on travertine, the curved bill reaching forward
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George Unite sterling silver flamingo sugar tongs with a long curved bill, engraved feathers, a turquoise eye, and ring handles, on a brown book
Close view of the flamingo tongs ring handles, both stamped with Birmingham hallmarks, above the textured foot stand
Flamingo tongs opened on a brown book, revealing the hidden spoon bowl inside the bill and the separate bird foot stand
Detail of the flamingo head with its turquoise set eye and finely chased feathered body, a red stone ashtray blurred behind
Silver flamingo tongs standing upright on their bird foot stand on travertine, the curved bill reaching forward

George Unite Sterling Silver Flamingo Tongs - Birmingham, c.1880

$640.00
$640.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Found in United Kingdom

A genuinely charming piece of Victorian silver novelty design, these antique sterling silver tongs are modeled as a flamingo standing on one leg, its long curved neck and beak forming the working arms of the tongs while its single leg provides a whimsical base for the piece to rest on. A small turquoise cabochon set into the eye adds a subtle flash of color against the bright silver.

The bird's body and neck are finished with fine engraved detailing meant to suggest feathering, while the beak itself is left smooth and gently curved, tapering to a point that closes cleanly for lifting sugar cubes or small pieces of ice. The piece is correctly hallmarked for Birmingham and attributed to George Unite, a well documented Victorian silversmith known for producing exactly this kind of playful, animal formed tableware.

Novelty silver of this kind was hugely popular in Victorian England, where silversmiths competed to bring wit and personality to otherwise ordinary table implements, and a flamingo balanced on one leg is a particularly successful example of that impulse. Dating to the 1880s, the piece is a genuine antique, well over a century old, and remains in strong, usable condition.

Measuring 4 3/4 x 4 1/8", these tongs are equally at home serving sugar at a formal table or simply displayed as a small piece of Victorian sculpture. A delightful find for collectors of antique silver, novelty tableware, or bird motif design.

Collectors Notes

Victorian novelty silver rarely gets more charming than a flamingo balanced on one leg, and the turquoise eye is a lovely little detail up close. Look for it among our estate and silver collections, or set it out as a quiet conversation piece from our home decor edit.
Dimensions

4 3/4 x 4 1/8"
Shipping

We ship worldwide, with USPS Ground included for orders within the 48 contiguous U.S. states (5–8 business days). USPS Express (2 business days) is available at checkout for an added cost. Orders are typically processed within 1–2 business days, and you’ll receive an email with tracking details once shipped. Please note that delivery times are estimates and may vary due to weather, carrier delays, or peak seasons. If you have any questions about your order, contact us at info@collectorsgene.com.

George Unite sterling silver flamingo sugar tongs with a long curved bill, engraved feathers, a turquoise eye, and ring handles, on a brown book
Close view of the flamingo tongs ring handles, both stamped with Birmingham hallmarks, above the textured foot stand
Flamingo tongs opened on a brown book, revealing the hidden spoon bowl inside the bill and the separate bird foot stand
Detail of the flamingo head with its turquoise set eye and finely chased feathered body, a red stone ashtray blurred behind
Silver flamingo tongs standing upright on their bird foot stand on travertine, the curved bill reaching forward
Collectors Gene | Cameron Ross Steiner

Who Are You Buying From?

Every object here has a journey before it ever reaches you. I've spent years seeking these pieces out, in back rooms of old ateliers, from families who've inherited more than they can keep, through dealers I've come to trust, in conversations with people who still work with their hands, because I've always believed the things we choose to live with should carry something true. What began as a private obsession became a devotion, one I now share with my wife and daughter, who remind me daily that the best collections are the ones built to be passed down, not simply owned. What you're holding isn't just an object. You're inheriting its story, and becoming part of its next chapter.

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