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Double Scent Bottle Sampson Mordan Silver Gilt Opera Glasses, Fitted Case, 1870s

$2,475.87
£1,800VAT Included
€2,143.78
CA$3,456.88
A$3,507.41
CHF 2,003.66
MX$42,466.04
NOK 23,539.14
SEK 23,507.97
DKK 16,025.61

About the Item

An exquisite and unusual Victorian silver gilt novelty double scent or perfume bottle set in the shape of a pair of binoculars or opera glasses in their original fitted case, made by Sampson Mordan & Co of London c. 1870 and retailed by Thomas Jones of 23 Bd des Capucines, Paris. This was an object of the highest luxury in its day, retailed in one of the most famous, fashionable and important retail addresses in Paris, a location painted by Monet in 1873-1874. The pair of scent or perfume bottle holders is realistically modelled as silver gilt binoculars or opera glasses with leather cladding and mirrored glass in the terminals. Inside are blue glass scent bottles, both in good condition with no chips or cracks. One of the caps is a screw cap, the other spring activated, and both are engraved with an elegant monogram ‘DM’ or ‘MD’. The glasses bear marks around the rim ‘S Mordan & Co Makers’ for the renowned London silversmith. The interior of the spring clasp lid is also marked ‘S Mordan & Co London’ with a crown in the centre. The binoculars also have a pair of French import hallmarks (weevils) to the central support. There is a gold retailer’s stamp embossed on the silk to the interior of the lid of the case for ‘Jones – 23, Bd des Capucines Paris’. Thomas Jones was an English merchant from London who was listed at 23, Boulevard des Capucines in Paris from 1878 to 1905 as a manufacturer of travel bags, suitcases, brushes and perfumery. As well as the premises at 23, Boulevard des Capucines in Paris, Thomas Jones also had premises at 41 St James Street, Piccadilly and 18 Golden Square in London. He won three silver medals for perfumery in 1878 and 1889. The silver produced by Sampson Mordan is some of the most interesting of British antique silver. Mordan was co-inventor of the mechanical pencil in 1822, and in addition to pencils, Mordan & Co produced many novelty and mechanical silver items. This particular design is very rare and unusual and is highly collectable – all the more so in that it retains both the mirrors in the ‘glass’ ends of the binoculars, and also the original rich burgundy coloured fitted case. The case is lined with purple silk to the interior with purple velvet to the rim of the lid, along with gold tooling around its interior rim. The clasp works well and it is in very good vintage condition. There are some small dents to the silver including to the lid of the spring-operated clasp but otherwise this is in very fine antique condition. It is a true survivor, particularly considering it retains its original fitted case, and a wonderful example of late 19th century luxury in Paris.
  • Creator:
    Samson Mordan and Co (Maker)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 2.76 in (7 cm)Width: 2.96 in (7.5 cm)Depth: 1.58 in (4 cm)
  • Style:
    Victorian (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Leather,Mirror,Silk,Silver,Gilt
  • Place of Origin:
    England
  • Period:
    Mid-19th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1870
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: CCL811stDibs: LU9676247654832

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