Desk Accessory Scales
These desk accessory scales are practical instruments that bring character and precision to a working surface.
Desk Accessory Scales
Desk accessory scales are functional items designed to weigh letters and small parcels for postage, predominantly taking the form of postal scales mounted on wooden bases.
The versions most commonly met on this page date from the Victorian and Edwardian eras, constructed with brass balances and fitted wooden plinths.
Makers produced varied configurations, ranging from heavy mahogany and oak platforms to elaborate brass designs and malachite examples.
How they were made
Metal components rely on cast brass and sterling silver, often paired with vitreous enamel accents for decorative contrast.
Bases and mounting structures utilise dense hardwoods such as mahogany and oak, shaped to support the metal mechanisms and weight sets.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the precision of the brass mechanism and the finish of the timber base, with finer examples featuring robust solid construction rather than veneered surfaces.
The presence of matching original weights and signed maker details elevates the standing of an individual set above standard utility pieces.
S Mordan London·S Mordan Co London·Ratcliff Birmingham
The Desk Accessory Scales Glossary
- Postal Scales
- Devices specifically calibrated for weighing letters and correspondence to determine postage rates. These typically comprise a balanced beam set upon a timber or metal plinth.
- Plinth
- The foundational base block supporting the scale mechanism and often housing a recess for storage weights. Mahogany and oak are common timbers for these mounts.
- Vitreous Enamel
- A material created by fusing powdered glass to a substrate through firing, adding coloured decoration to metal components. This finish appears on specific desk accessories.
- Malachite
- A green copper carbonate mineral used as a decorative stone surface on select ornamental items. It provides a striking textural finish for small desk pieces.
Desk Accessory Scales: Frequently Asked Questions
What are desk accessory scales?
Desk accessory scales are functional measuring instruments designed to weigh letters and small parcels in a study or office.
They combine brass balancing mechanisms with decorative wooden or stone bases to serve both a practical purpose and an ornamental role on a writing desk.
How were postal scales used?
Postal scales were used to determine the correct postage for letters and packages prior to digital weighing.
Users placed correspondence on the brass pan and consulted the accompanying weights to calculate the required postal charges.
What materials are common?
Common materials include cast brass for the moving arms and pans, alongside hardwoods such as mahogany and oak for the mounting plinths.
Finer examples incorporate sterling silver, vitreous enamel, and malachite to enhance their visual appeal.
How do I identify periods?
Periods are identified through stylistic cues, construction techniques, and materials associated with specific eras such as the Victorian and Edwardian decades.
Maker stamps and structural proportions also help place an item within its historical context.