DAY 1: Americana, DAY 2: Historical and Medical Antiques, Medallions, and Books
Wed, May 6, 2026 10:00AM EDT
Live Auction
Lot 388
Thomas Jefferson Owned Pipe (Ember) Tongs
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $200 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $200 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $50,000 |
18th century pipe or ember tongs, wrought iron, with scissors or accordian action. The lot consists of a shadow box with the tongs mounted onto a backed, heavy woven material. Included is a note on late 19th or early 20th century paper, cut and mounted below the pipe tongs. The note, written in an early hand, is signed by Jamers Terry, a noted antiques dealer and collector of Jeffersonian material. The note reads: "Thomas Jefferson's pipe tongs [underlined] purchased of Miss Cornelia Jefferson Taylor (his great grand-daughter) at "Lego" near Charlottes=ville, Va. April, 1905. Also brass button from Jefferson's chair."
Cornelia Jefferson "Miss Nely" Taylor (1849-1937) was a great-great-granddaughter of Thomas Jefferson. She lived at (and apparently managed) a farm near Charlottesville, Virginia, in the late 19th and early 20th century. The farm was a portion of Jefferson's estate at some point named "Lego". She was well known as a preserver of her family history, and very active at Monticello. She sold the farm in 1919.
James Terry (1844-1912). James Terry was interested in a variety of scientific and historical subjects. He spent part of his life in Hartford, CT as an antiqes dealer. His only published work was: Sculptured Anthropoid Ape Heads (1891).
While not examined out of the framed shadow box, the tongs certainly appear to be period, as does the note, which is signed by Terry.
Provenance: Skinner Auctions, 1993.
Overall: H 14-3/4 in. W 16-1/2 in. D 2-1/2 in.
Condition
Shipping/Pickup
7) Arrangement and costs of shipping are the responsibility of the buyer. New England Auctions does not ship or arrange shipping. All shipping is outsourced. All buyers and shippers must come prepared with appropriate packing materials and help for heavy items. Our staff will not be available to help move heavy items. If a live aution payment is made by check, items will be held 7 business days before an item is released for shipping. Items can be picked up in person or by a shipper at 14 Business Park Drive - Unit 5, Branford, CT - BY CONFIRMED APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please contact the gallery 24 hours in advance to make an appointment. Pickup can be scheduled for Monday through Friday between 9am - 3pm beginning the Monday after the date of the auction. Please note that all first-time live auction buyers that wish to pick items up in person must pay with cash. To help expedite shipping, lots will be released to Village Express after payment has cleared. If you wish to use an alternate shipper, please send an email immediately. A list of local shippers includes: The Village Express, Branford, CT 203-481-7426 or (vexpress@comcast.net), Attn: Kristen. The UPS Store #5105 at 203-772-4445 or (store5105@theupsstore..com), Attn: Manjit. (for licensed transport across state lines): Outward Bound Courier Logistics, Dalton, MA at 413-854-3676, Attn: Alan or Ben. GNLE Delivery, Stockton, NJ at 908-256-3947, Attn: Kieran Giannelli. For fine art, furniture, and shippers that crate: Maquette FAS CT, Branford, CT at 203-640-8453, Attn: Kevin. Plycon Transportation Group 631-269-7000. Codogan Tate 718-689-7969. US ART 718-986-6500. Purchased items that have been paid for but not picked up or shipped from our auction facility within 21 days of the auction will be stored at a rate of $5 per day per lot. Storage fees and late fees must be paid before items are released. There are no exceptions. Items not picked up within 60 days of the auction date will be considered in default and become the property of New England Auctions. ***
Skinner Auctions, 1993.
14 Business Park Drive, Suite 5
Branford, Connecticut 06405
(475) 234-5120
info@newenglandauctions.com