A good quality and large-size Victorian novelty silver horn-shaped combination scent bottle and vinaigrette, the body applied with cast floral and foliate scroll bands, the hinged cover inset with a polished specimen banded agate cabochon, opening to reveal a richly gilt interior housing a vinaigrette with a hinged grille, pierced and decorated with foliate scrolls and flowerheads, the tapered end of the horn contains the scent bottle, for which the screw thread cap is also surmounted with a cast floral and foliate rim and attached with a suspensory chain with independent gimble, allowing the cap to be twisted and loosened without the suspensory chain becoming tangled. A sign of fine quality and craftsmanship. The cap of the scent bottle is fitted with an integral cork stopper.
 
All component pieces are correctly hallmarked. The interior of the hinged cover also engraved with registered design lozenge.
 
Sampson Mordan & Co.,
London, 1872.
 
Note: An extremely fine example of this type of object from the workshop of Sampson Mordan. We have handled horn-shaped vinaigrettes before, however, this example is larger than normal. Further, it is combined with a scent bottle and is applied with fine cast decoration. The quality is superb.
 
Dimensions:
Length: 11cm.
Diameter (of hinged cover): 3.7cm
Weight: 81.5 grams, all-in
 
Condition:
In good antique condition. Free from any repair. The definition of the applied decoration is excellent. The agate is undamaged. The hinged cover closes well, and the grille is in good order. The scent bottle cap screws tightly closed. The gimble attaching the suspensory chain for the cap is a little tight. Some small dents and ripples to the body from where the piece has been placed down on a flat surface. General wear commensurate with age and use.