S/5907 Antique 18th Century Tortoiseshell Pocket Quarter Ell Rule

A rare excellent quality 18th century quarter ell rule in tortoiseshell, having a finely turned finial and a brass stop end. The square tapered body has inset angled and vertical brass measuring lines. Prior to the adoption of the metric system, ell rules were used as a popular measure, particularly for cloth in both this country and abroad. For a full description, see Pinto page 277-278, plates 297-299, in which he states that quarter ell rules have rarely survived, and this example has a lovely rich colour.

Provenance: Desborough Collection

8¼ in. (21 cm.) Wide
¼ in. (0.625 cm.) Deep
¼ in. (0.625 cm.) High
English Circa 1770