Sampson Mordan Silver Matchbox with Striker London 1859

Description

Heading : Sampson Mordan silver matchbox with striker
Date : Hallmarked in London in 1859 for Mordan
Period : Victoria
Origin : London, England
Decoration : Embellished with machined decoration to cover and base- cartouche with ‘A.F Clarke-Jervoise’ – yellow striking paper to base
Size :  6cm x 4.7cm, 1.5cm height
Condition : Excellent
Restoration : None
Weight : 56 grams (1.8 troy)

The identity of A. F Clarke-Jervoise is something of a mystery. The Clarke-Jervoise family was created in 1808 when the Reverend Samuel Clarke assumed the additional surname of Jervoise by royal licence in 1808 shortly before he was raised to the Baronetage in 1813. The reason for this name change was that in order to inherit his wife’s family’s estate he had to take his father-in-law’s surname.

Arthur was a popular family name and, although the only Baronet named Arthur had the second initial H, it is likely that this matchbox belonged to one of Samuel’s descendants. Arthur’s illegitimate son, also named Arthur, would eventually inherit the family pile, Idsworth Park in Hampshire, although not the title – his middle initial was F although his birth date of 1882 and this may have been later engraved for him.

The final Clarke-Jervoise in the peerage was Sir Dudley Alan Lestock Clarke-Jervoise, 7th Baronet, who died without an heir in 1933.