Here for your consideration is an exquisite and extremely rare, antique Victorian, 1886, silver and enamel, Sampson Mordan, novelty, vesta case, depicting the lord and lady of the manor accompanied by their footman, riding through the countryside in a trap, pulled by two thoroughbred horses.

This is as good as it gets with regards to novelty Sampson Mordan vesta cases. There are plenty of vesta cases out there, but how many of these have you seen. An extremely rare find indeed, I've only got one, once it's gone .... it's gone. You might never find another one like this, and if there's one thing I've learned about antiques, when items are of quality and extremely rare he who hesitates usually loses out. 

It features delightful, finely engraved, enamel workmanship, bearing the SM maker's mark in an oblong cartouche for Sampson Mordan, lion passant, leopards head London assay mark, Queen Victoria duty mark, and date letter 'L' in a shield cartouche for 1886.

A beautiful example of a novelty vesta case by one of the very best Victorian silversmiths. Considering this exquisite novelty silver and enamel vesta case is 130 years old its in very good condition, with no denting or enamel damage. It does have some beautiful silver age related patina, commensurate with 130 years of age, but nothing unusual.

Sampson Mordan (1790–1843) 

A British silversmith and co-inventor of the first patented mechanical pencil. He was an apprentice to the inventor and locksmith Joseph Bramah. From 1823-1837, Sampson Mordan manufactured and sold silver mechanical pencils with the markings "SMGR" with his business partner Gabriel Riddle. After the partnership with Riddle dissolved, Mordan continued to sell his silver pencils as "S. Mordan & Co.", adding many other types of silver and gold items to his product line. Mordan often made whimsical "figural" shapes that resembled animals, Egyptian mummies, or other objects; like his other silverware and gold ware these items are now highly collectible. Upon Mordan's death in 1843, his sons Sampson (junior) and Augustus inherited the firm. "S. Mordan & Co." continued to make silverware until 1941, when bombs destroyed their factory during the London Blitz.

Dimensions as follows ...

Length: 2.25 inches or 5.7 cm

Width: 1.25 inches or 3.1 cm

Depth: 0.35 inches or 10 mm 

Weight: 1.4 oz or 39 grams

Samson Mordan novelty silver items, are highly collectable, and would add value to any silver collection. These delightful silver and enamel novelty vesta cases have become so very collectable and are only going to appreciate in value, in years to come. A real must for any serious silver collector.

This stunning Victorian novelty vesta case would make an ideal gift.

The silver and enamel vesta case will be sent out recorded, special delivery with insurance. 

Please note, all my international postal charges are only estimates and will be confirmed and altered up or down when I know the destination to where, items are being sent. Please also note I only charge actual costs of postage and packaging with insurance, no more.

Please feel free to look at my other items.