These Tongs have been attributed to James Plumpton, it cannot be certain as I P is a very common mark, but he was working in the period of 1767 when he entered his first mark as a smallworker, there is no record of apprenticeship or freedom. Another candidate is James Phipps 1st, as he was working as a smallworker between 1767 - 1772, he first entered a mark as a large worker in 1749 in partnership with William Bond (makers marks page 1)and then as a smallworker on the 14th May 1767, he carried on working until the late 18th Century and is believed to have died between 1795-1805.
His mark as a smallworker recorded in "Grimwades" has no pellet but it is noted that " A smaller mark with a pellet between, 10th Febuary 1772"
Prehaps we will never know
This pair of Tongs are among the most attractive pair l have, plus as a bonus they are unrepaired. thier design is of elegance and are of a good weight 0f 1.2 troy ozs.
They have a marriage betroathal of C over G A and like the pair by William Chatterton, they read sideways.