L. Oertling Brass Scientific Scales in Mahogany Case
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
- Assay / Assayed - Assaying is the testing of a metal, most commonly silver and gold to determine its ingredients and quality. In Britain, once an item of silver or gold has been assayed, a mark is stamped on it, certifying its purity. Known as hallmark, it derives its name from the Guild Hall of the Goldsmiths' Company, who recieved its Charter in 1327 giving it the power to assay and mark articles of gold and silver.
- Mahogany - Mahogany is a dense, close grained red-coloured timber from the West Indies and Central America. It was first imported into Europe in the the early 18th century and its use continued through the 19th century. It was popular for furniture making because of its strength, the wide boards available, the distinctive grain on some boards, termed flame mahogany and the rich warm colour of the timber when it was polished.. The "flame" was produced where a limb grew out from the trunk of the tree, and this timber was usually sliced into veneers for feature panels on doors, backs and cornices.
Some terms used to describe mahogany relate to the country from which it originally came, such as "Cuban" mahogany, "Honduras" mahogany etc. However unless the wood has been tested the names assigned are more a selling feature, rather than a true indication of the timber's origin.
Visually similar items
A French Louis XV style walnut and parquetry decorated two door dome top armoire.
A late 19th century carved teak vitrine, designed by Lockwood de Forest II (1850-1932), made in Ahmedabad, India, assembled in New York, 167.5 x 81.4 x 30.8 cm. Provenance: From the collection of Lockwood de Forest II (1850-1932) and by descent to the curr
Louis XV style display cabinet with curved glass sides and storage compartment at bottom, 115 cm wide, 45 cm deep, 189 cm high
A French flame mahogany display case circa 1880, in the Louis Philippe style, with a simply moulded pediment, rich feathered flame mahogany, the rectangular glazed door opening to four adjustable banded shelves, two lower full length drawers upon a moulded