I think these are fancy blacksmith tongs. The box joint is a pretty sophisticated bit of smithery!
Each side of the jaws is done up as a stylized dragon head, a popular motif that I've seen around, the spear point and knob are just bits of showing off. I do not think they had any other purpose than to be pretty, functional tongs.
The hollow jaws are for gripping linear bits of hot iron while drawing out.
Last edited by Shakethetrees; 31st October 2014 at 04:40 PM.
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