Silver Plated Ice Tongs from France Designed by Jacques Adnet, ca. 1940s
A pair of silver plated tension spring ice tongs by Jacques Adnet from Snowdrift Antiques.
Jacques Adnet was a furniture designer known for his mirrors, lamps, chairs, and tables. Each piece was designed with the clean lines and simple forms of an unadorned Art Deco style, and subsequently rendered in glass, metal, leather, or wood. He was born on April 20, 1900 in Chatillon-Coligny, France. He studied architecture under Charles Louis Genuys at the École des Arts Décoratifs in 1916. From 1923 until 1928, he worked with his twin brother Jean Adnet, under the collaborative moniker Jean & Jacques Adnet. Together they would exhibit at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in 1925, where the term Art Deco is said to have first been coined. Jacques Adnet went on to direct La Compagnie des Arts Français until its closure in 1959, collaborating with Charlotte Perriand, Francois Jourdain, and others who shared his innovative approach to design. The designer died on October 29, 1984 in Paris, France.
These ice tongs are a beautiful work of art and the product of very clever design. They consist of two squared metal rods with screw on balls on top. One rod is stationary, while the other, when squeezed, turns a spring inside a metal disc between the two which provides tension and grip on the end when released. Both have metal teeth on their ends for gripping ice. It measures 8 inches in length.
This piece is in excellent vintage condition. It has some minor wear on the metal disc over its 80 years of life. There is no pitting or rust. The spring is strong and provides plenty of tension.
This is a hard to find, beautiful example of design by one of the premiere designers of the Art Deco period.
It can be seen and purchased at ...
The Antique Exchange
1500 South Broadway
Denver, CO
Questions about or to purchase contact me at...
