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 Victorian silver-gilt-mounted blue-glass vinaigrette and scent bottle, Sampson Mordan & Co, London, 1871
6 Mar 2017
Sold for ZAR 11 710
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
A Victorian novelty silver vinaigrette in the form of a walnut, Sampson Mordan & Co, London, 1881
10 Oct 2016
Sold for ZAR 26 147
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
An Edward VII novelty silver-mounted pink glass perfume bottle and stand, Sampson Mordan & Co, Ltd, Chester, 1906
10 Oct 2016
Sold for ZAR 28 420
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
A Victorian silver-gilt novelty propelling pencil, Sampson Mordan & Co, circa 1842
14 Mar 2016
Sold for ZAR 19 326
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
An Edwardian silver novelty pen wipe and two Edwardian silver pin cushions in the shape of chicks, Sampson Mordan and Co Ltd, 1905-1909
21 Oct 2013
Sold for ZAR 7 026
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
A Victorian silver and enamel vesta case, Samson Mordan & Co, London, 1899
8 Oct 2009
Sold for ZAR 12 254
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT