Makers & Designers

Strauss & Co’s decorative arts department has handled a worldly list of makers and designers specialising in furniture making, jewellery, silver, glass, porcelain and other artisanal trades.

Strauss & Co’s decorative arts department has handled a worldly list of makers and designers specialising in furniture making, jewellery, silver, glass, porcelain and other artisanal trades. This searchable database lists prominent makers and designers sold by Strauss & Co, including René Lalique, Gio Ponti, Patrick Mavros, as well as coveted houses like The Barnards and Tiffany & Co.



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Sampson Mordan & Co

London, England 


Sampson Mordan (1770-1843) established his business in 1815. Sampson Mordan is renowned for his development of the mechanical pencil, patented in 1822. He entered his first mark with the London Assay Office in 1823, consisting of an 'SM' in a rectangular surround. Between 1824 and 1836, Mordan entered a partnership with Gabriel Riddle, registeing a new mark of 'SM.GR.' Following the dissolution of this partnership, Mordan continued the business as S. Mordan & Co until his death in 1843. Throughout the 19th century, Sampson Mordan gained more than 160 patents for mechanical pencils, which sold exceptionally well. As well as the pencil side of the business, Sampson Mordan specialised in small silver and gold items, such as vesta cases, menu holders, claret jugs, vinaigrettes, scent bottles etc. Pieces to sell exceptionally well at auction include beautifully enamelled vesta cases, silver owls with glass bead eyes, silver topped scent bottles and countless other novel designs with a timeless appeal to collectors. These pieces were supplied to retailers such as Asprey, and Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co.

After Sampson's death, the business was taken over by his sons Sampson (Jr) and Augustus who ran the company for the remainder of the 19th century. In 1898 the company was renamed S. Mordan & Co Ltd, with the rights to the propelling pencil business given to L.G Sloan Ltd and the liquidation of the company in 1952.


18 lots offered      83.33% sold      ZAR 142 260
 

  Including Premium and VAT Results include Buyer's Premium and VAT
A William IV silver nutmeg grater, town and date mark indistinct, Sampson Mordan & Co
22 Feb 2021
Sold for ZAR 4 690
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
A George V silver and gold inlaid cigarette case, Sampson Mordan & Co, London, 1913
1 Jun 2020
Sold for ZAR 2 345
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
9ct gold cigar piercer, S Mordan & Co, London 1927, retailed by Mappin & Webb
14 Apr 2020
Sold for ZAR 3 518
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
A Victorian silver propelling pencil, apparently unmarked, Mordan & Company, 7 September 1873
16 Mar 2020
Sold for ZAR 2 228
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
An Edward VII silver and gold inlaid cigarette case, Sampson Mordan & Co, London, 1913
16 Sep 2019
ZAR 2 000 - 2 500
 
An Edwardian 9ct gold propelling pencil, S Mordan & Co, London, 1907
7 May 2018
Sold for ZAR 3 283
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
An Edward VII silver propelling pen and pencil, S Mordan & Co, London
7 May 2018
Sold for ZAR 1 994
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
A late Victorian silver and glass scent bottle, Sampson Mordan & Co, London, 1892
27 Nov 2017
ZAR 1 500 - 2 000
 
A Victorian gold sliding propelling pencil, Sampson Mordan & Co, London, late 19th century
16 Oct 2017
Sold for ZAR 4 099
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
A Victorian 18ct gold sliding propelling pencil, Sampson Mordan & Co, London, late 19th century
16 Oct 2017
Sold for ZAR 9 368
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
A late Victorian silver and glass scent bottle, Sampson Mordan & Co, London, 1892
18 Sep 2017
ZAR 2 000 - 2 500
 
A Victorian silver-gilt-mounted amber-coloured glass double-end scent bottle, S Mordan & Co, London
6 Mar 2017
Sold for ZAR 5 855
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT