Jewellery, Watches and Objects of Vertu

Regimental Interest: A Victorian silver Sentry Box Vesta case by Sampson Mordan, 1886, enamelled with a Grenadier Guardsman, wearing the Egypt and Sudan medal 1882-89 and the Khedive’s Star, with Registered Design No. 38283, maker’s mark ‘S.M’, London hallmark, dimensions 60 x 24 x 10mm. £800-£1,000

Soldiers of the Queen

Sampson Mordan & Co. produced a series of silver and enamel vesta cases depicting Soldiers of the Queen around the time of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887. Originally thought to be limited to a series of 10 or 12 regiments, around 30 regiments have now been recorded. They were made exclusively by Mordan and are stamped with the Registered Design Number 38283. The design was registered at the Patent Office on 17th November 1885.

Most of the vesta cases depicted soldiers from the Queen’s Royal regiments. The Grenadier Guard is a popular example. Very occasionally a Foreign regiment has been seen that may have been one-off special commissions.