This pair of coin silver sugar tongs, marked “J. Meredith”, was crafted by James Meredith (1791–1860), an American silversmith active in Winchester, Virginia, circa 1812–1860.
Made of coin silver, the tongs display a graceful, hand-forged form. The surfaces show the soft, satiny sheen characteristic of early American coin silver, derived from melted coinage rather than sterling.
James Meredith’s work exemplifies the refined yet practical aesthetic of early 19th-century Virginia silver, blending Federal-era simplicity with Southern craftsmanship. His pieces are now scarce, representing the strong regional silversmithing tradition that thrived before the dominance of factory-made silver.
These tongs stand as a fine example of Meredith’s craftsmanship, valued for both their historical significance and restrained elegance.
