A rare and very elegant survival from the 18th century – a gentleman’s pocket expanding ruler housed in its original green shagreen étui.
The ruler is formed of seven slender ivory sections (3 ¾” closed length), joined with brass rivets, and inked in red with finely drawn linear decoration and numbering. When extended, it forms a practical measuring rule, compact enough to slip into a waistcoat pocket yet precise enough for architectural, surveying, or mercantile use. The red line work and engraved numerals are still beautifully visible, with the warm patina only 200+ years can produce.
It retains its original green shagreen case, a most appealing and increasingly scarce survival. The case measures 4 1/8” long x 7/8” x 5/8”, fitted with a hinged cap and lined in its original reddish interior. The shagreen shows honest age and slight wear, as expected, with small losses and edge wear commensurate with use, but remains structurally sound and entirely display-worthy. These little utilitarian objects are so often separated from their cases — to find both together is a particular pleasure.A charming and highly collectible Georgian-era scientific or drafting instrument, perfect for a cabinet of curiosities, a writing slope, or display among other early mathematical tools. Objects like this speak quietly of Enlightenment pursuits — commerce, engineering, architecture — and of the refined personal accessories carried by a well-appointed gentleman.
Condition is very good to excellent for age and type. The ruler opens and closes as intended. One rivet cap is missing at one end (clearly shown), but the joint remains intact and functional. No warping or significant cracks noted to the ivory sections, only light age staining and surface wear consistent with its 18th century origin. Slight looseness at hinge and very slight loss of shagreen (see images) but amazing condition by comparison to most. As always, guaranteed antique and over 100 years of age.
IMPORTANT NOTE regarding antique tortoise shell or ivory: We are great supporters of protection for endangered species in our modern world. We never buy or sell anything 100 years or newer; we donate to anti-poaching organizations; we don't hunt; we conserve in ways that impact global warming (we're totally solar at home), knowing those measures also protect the animals in the wild today. We also recognize the vast cultural history we preserve with our care and reverence for these antique objects, and agree with CITES that objects over 100 years of age have nothing whatsoever to do with species depletion in our current world.
Our offering exceeds the age limitation of "more than 100 years of age", and is well within the exemption for CITES regulation. If imported, met the CITES regulation. This item will be handled and shipped from our Utah business, and is not available for shipment internationally, nor within the USA to California, NY, Nevada, Hawaii, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington if it contains ivory, sorry. Please see our small print for more details.
