Thanks for all the comments Gentlemen, most "interesting"

Regards
Roy

No gladiators arena here; you know better than that. Just pass on to the next topic; this one has had it from you.

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THESE TONGS MOST LIKELY SERVED A CEREMONIAL PURPOSE OR WERE SYMBOLIC SUCH AS SOME TOOLS USED AS SYMBOLS IN SOME GROUPS THE MASONS COME TO MIND. IF THE ORIGIN IS INDIA THIS IS EVEN MORE LIKELY.
SOME METAL WORKERS MAKE INTRICATE IRON OBJECTS EITHER PURELY DECORATIVE OR EVEN TOOLS TO SHOW OFF THEIR SKILLS. THIS SET OF TONGS HAS JUST TOO MANY DIFFERENT TOOLS TO BE USED IN FORGING, THEY DID NOT MAKE A SWISS ARMY KNIFE TOOL FOR BLACKSMITHS THAT I AM AWARE OF :D THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT TONGS FOR DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS NOT ONE SET THAT INCORPORATES EVERY FUNCTION INTO ONE SET.
THE SAME LIKELY APPLIES TO TONGS USED IN TORTURE WHICH WERE MOSTLY MUCH LIKE REGULAR ONES IN MOST CASES. SOME WERE MADE TO LOOK MORE TERRIFYING PERHAPS OR TO SHOW OFF THE SKILLS OF THE MAKER OR FANCIER AT THE REQUEST OF THE ONE ORDERING THEM ESPECIALLY IF THEY WERE ROYALTY. A RED HOT POKER FOR INSTANCE COULD BE ANY PIECE OF IRON.
AS TO TODAY'S T.V. SHOWS THE TERM REALITY SHOW IS THE LIE THEY ARE SCRIPTED AND REHEARSED NOT DONE LIVE. THEY ARE DESIGNED TO BE SENSATIONAL AND TO ENTERTAIN BUT SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN TOO SERIOUSLY BUT CAN SERVE TO PIQUE ONES INTEREST TO DO SOME SERIOUS RESEARCH. WHATEVER THE TONGS IN QUESTION ARE I LIKE THEM. :cool:

Cheers Roy, as I recall from our meeting your a true Gent yourself. ;)

Congratulation's on your reinstatement as Lead Euro moderator Fernando!

I hadn't noticed till now....

Spiral

Points agreed with, VANDOO but ... it still has to be considered that, beyond all exhibiting features, it also looks as if this device had some practical use, be it cerimonial or ritual, as some of its lines look functionally intentional, while not contributing for its fantasy attitude. Meaning that the tongs "lips" don't completely close, leaving a regular gap, caused by the contour of their front ends. Also the "tubular" interior section doesn't add much to a show off feature, but as a need to fit into it something with a coinciding cross section. ... If Roy doesn't mind me to work up his pictures. .................................................. .....................