Early VICTORIAN Novelty Cased Silver Pistol Pencil and Toothpick Set by Sampson Mordan. Circa 1840.
Early VICTORIAN Novelty Cased Silver Pistol Pencil and Toothpick Set by Sampson Mordan. Circa 1840.
8960
Delightful early VICTORIAN cased novelty silver pencil and toothpick set.
Maker: Sampson Mordan. Unmarked. Circa 1840.
Engraved on one side of each barrel is the date 6 July 1840 and S. Mordan on the other with some wear.
The novelty set is modelled as pistols, the pistol butts have feathered scroll decoration and are set in a fitted velvet lined case. The slide actions in both pistols is fully functional although the lead from the pencil missing.
Sampson Morden was renowned for making novelty model items. These pistols epitomise his expertise and could be utilised today. The fact that the pistols are not hallmarked leads one to believe that they were a private commission.
They would make an excellent and unusual gift.
Provenance:
A Private Collection.
Purchased from Tessier's Ltd, 12th February 1996.
For a similar pair of pistols see Bull, K., The KB Collection of Pencils, private publication 2012, page 25.
Length: 1.6 inches - 4cm
Weight: 0.26 troy ounces - 8 grams the pair
Excellent. Some scuffs to the case.
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