With a massive wine shortage in France in the late 19th century, absinthe - an anise-flavored, emerald green liquor - quickly became France's most fashionable drink. In French cafes, 5pm became known as l'heure verte , or the "green hour," signaling the flow of absinthe into the late hours of the evening.

The most famous of absinthe drinkers were the Bohemians - artists, writers and intellectuals. Among Absinthe's insatiable enthusiasts were Vincent van Gogh, Edgar Degas, Oscar Wilde, Pablo Picasso, Edgar Allan Poe, and Mark Twain, who raved about the drink''s creative and poetic effects.

This bird shaped pewter-plated tongs are ideal for picking up sugar cubes easily and are the perfect accessory to aide in sweetening your absinthe, coffee, or tea. The tongs are exact reproductions of turn of the last century pieces and have a true antique look and feel. A great way of serving absinthe sugar cubes.

Can also be used for dispensing ice cubes.

Measures 5" l.
Pewter-plated brass.
Imported.