The nimph with tongs? pincers? (f80r)

[Koen G]

Looking at the construction of this thing, if it is to be taken literally, it's clear that it is meant for relatively delicate tasks. It has no handles for leverage, so no teeth pulling etc. Based on that alone, I'd say pincers or compasses rather than large tongs. Given their size, one might even call them tweezers.



These were apparently used during construction to place stones. But they have small handles:


Another option is that they are meant for shears 


Which would make the thing posted by David a wool comb. Though one would always have to account for its placement on the figure (on the cheek??). I'd say that the arms were positioned so unnaturally because of another layer of meaning.