Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 14

Fine English Letter / Postal Scale in Malachite by Sampson Mordan, circa 1860

About the Item

A very fine and rare antique English desk or letter scale, the base covered in stunning green Malachite. The gilded brass or bronze fittings are all hand engraved and the two pans beautifully pierced or reticulated, top quality and quite stunning. The rear of the balance is where the signature for Sampson Mordan, London can be found; the creme de la creme of scale manufacturers. The four original weights sit to the front, marked F, 1/P, 2/P and 4/P. The P refers to "Postages" which were in 1/2 oz units used from 1840-1871. The smallest marked "F" is a 1/4 oz unit used for foreign mail routed from England via France. This makes this example a mid-nineteenth century piece dating to circa 1850-1860. Looks like there was a label originally on the underside, probably for the retailer affixed with four screws. An absolute gem in excellent condition measuring 6 3/4" x 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" tall. Item id 41363.
  • Creator:
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)Width: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)Depth: 6.75 in (17.15 cm)
  • Style:
    Early Victorian (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1860
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Bath, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 413631stDibs: LU3365317492502

More From This Seller

View All
Antique English Novelty Duck Letter Opener by Sampson Mordan & Co.
Located in Bath, GB
A rare and highly collectable letter opener made from solid English sterling silver with the handle mounted with a charming Duck figure. The underside is fully hallmarked London ...
Category

Vintage 1920s British Letter Openers

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of Antique English Sampson Mordan Sterling Silver Menu Holders, Owls
Located in Bath, GB
A stunning pair of antique English sterling silver menu holders by the highly collectable silversmith, Sampson Mordan & Co. Each is fully hallmarked for Chester 1911. The front of...
Category

Vintage 1910s English Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique English Burr Walnut & Hand Painted Porcelain Stationery Box, circa 1850
Located in Bath, GB
A quite wonderful and romantic stationery box, ready to grace the finest of desk-tops. Made from burr walnut the wedge shaped box is smothered in fine quality polished brass mount...
Category

Antique 1850s English Early Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Grand French Three-Piece Desk Set, Hand Painted Porcelain Inset, circa 1860
Located in Bath, GB
Wonderful to find a top-notch, highly decorative and most unusual desk set, French in origin dating to around 1860. Made from nutty coloured burl Walnut, all three pieces are mounted with the most wonderful polished brass mounts all inset with fabulous hand painted porcelain plaques. Our restorer had to remove all the mounts to professionally clean and on doing so found the name of the figure depicted on the plaques, "Ninon De Lenclos" a French Author, Courtesan, Freethinker and Patron of the Arts. The set is made up of a Stationery box with brass swing handles each side; the box complete with a working tasselled key. The box opens to reveal the wonderful original gilded leather lining with the original paper lining the sides of the dividers. The lock and hinges are beautifully engraved, a true sign of quality. The next piece is a hefty large oval Walnut Inkstand with a large glass inkwell...
Category

Antique 1860s French Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Antique English Bronze Hunting Hound / Dog Inkwell, circa 1880
Located in Bath, GB
A beautifully cast late Victorian inkwell dating to circa 1880 in the form of a handsome hunting dog. The hinged lid opens to reveal a removable ink chamber. Excellent conditio...
Category

Antique 1880s Late Victorian Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Large Antique English Brass Owl Inkwell, circa.1890
Located in Bath, GB
A wonderful and rare large figural inkwell, beautifully executed in the form of an Owl with fine detail. The hinged head lifts to reveal a fitted ink chamber which looks to be a ...
Category

Antique 1890s British Late Victorian Inkwells

Materials

Brass

You May Also Like

Antique 20th Century English Solid Silver Bookmark By Sampson Mordan & Co c.1918
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early 20th Century English solid silver bookmark. The top of the bookmark has an ornamental pheasant. A wonderful addition to any book lover or as a collectable item. This also can also be used as a letter opener. Hallmarked English silver (925 Standard), Chester, year 1918 (S), Maker's mark SM Co...
Category

Vintage 1910s British Other Letter Openers

Materials

Sterling Silver

Fantastic set of antique Victorian postal scales and weights by S.Mordan London
Located in Ipswich, GB
Fantastic set of large antique Victorian postal scales and weights by S.Mordan London, having a fantastic quality set of antique Victorian scales by S.Mordan London, the brass scales...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Early Victorian Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

Vintage Colombian Postal Scale.
Located in Seattle, WA
Postal Scale that Weighs items up to 1.5 oz. Beautiful Petina to the Metal and the Label. Floral Motif on the Bottom. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured. Dimensions....
Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Steel

Antique English Ormolu and Malachite Inkwell, Circa 1860-1880.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English ormolu & malachite inkwell, circa 1860-1880.
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Inkwells

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Antique Victorian Brass & Scottish Agate Postal Scale & Weights, Circa 1865-1870
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Victorian Brass and Scottish Agate Postal scale with Weights, Circa 1865-1870.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Agate, Brass

Lovely antique Edwardian postal scales & weights
Located in Ipswich, GB
Lovely antique Edwardian postal scales & weights, having a lovely pair of antique Edwardian brass postal scales with brass weights mounted on a wooden shaped base. D. 1900
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

Recently Viewed

View All