Asprey International Limited Trunks and Luggage
Favored for over two centuries by European royalty, movie stars, rock music legends and England’s elite, Asprey International Limited’s reputation for creating elegant, high-quality furniture, jewelry and decorative objects is without equal. The storied manufacturer’s motto — “It can be done” — exemplifies their approach to design, which has proven over time to be both dynamic and enduring. To this day, Asprey International Limited remains a go-to purveyor of luxury goods and bespoke design services.
The roots of Asprey International Limited can be traced all the way back to 1781 when it was founded by William Asprey in Mitcham, Surrey. The business moved to its revered modern location, 166 Bond Street, in 1847. The company’s highly accurate regulator clock, once displayed in the window of their flagship, became a frequent stop for Londoners wishing to reset their watches.
Asprey first gained renown for its manufacture of exquisitely engineered dressing cases, which were compact pieces of luggage that travelers would use to tote their cosmetics and toiletries. At the International Exhibition of 1862, the company received a gold medal for its excellent dressing-case designs and also earned a Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria for their manufacture. Upon his ascension to the throne, King Edward II introduced incredibly formal Buckingham Palace court presentations, balls and soirées, resulting in a huge demand for diamond jewels starting with his coronation in 1902. The court jewelers Asprey, Garrard, Carrington and the newly opened London branch of Cartier were all overwhelmed with orders for sumptuous diamond jewelry to be worn at the king’s elaborate coronation. Currently, Asprey International Limited holds a Royal Warrant from His Royal Majesty Charles, Prince of Wales, for jewelry and silver.
Asprey continued to build its reputation for the production of luxury goods including tableware and silverplate pieces throughout the Victorian period and into the early 20th century. Especially known for its designs of the 1920s and ‘30s, Asprey International Limited considers the Art Deco period to have been its golden age. Their designers embraced the spirited originality of the period with open arms, and Asprey enjoyed a time of intense creativity and debuted a wealth of iconic creations throughout the mid-century modern period, too.
Asprey artisans have designed bespoke pieces for such notable celebrities as British musician Ringo Starr and American actress Angelina Jolie. They have also designed made-to-order accessories for Hollywood movies, most notably the Edwardian-style “Coeur de la Mer,” which was a piece of costume jewelry from James Cameron’s 1997 hit, Titanic. The company’s recreation of the piece — this time designed with actual gems sourced from Sri Lanka — fetched more than $2 million at a fundraiser held in Princess Diana’s honor in 1998. Asprey previously acted as the official jewelry designer for the BAFTA awards and collaborated with Ferrari’s Formula 1 team during the late 1990s.
Asprey International Limited has received many awards and recognitions for its timeless designs. Most notably, it was awarded the Queen's Award to Industry in 1975. The London College of Arms bestowed upon the brand a new official coat of arms in 2006 to mark its esteemed 225-year-long legacy of excellence.
On 1stDibs, find antique Asprey International Limited decorative objects, lighting, serveware and silver and jewelry.
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Asprey International Limited Trunks and Luggage
Chrome
19th Century English Victorian Antique Asprey International Limited Trunks and Luggage
Brass, Silver, Vermeil
Late 19th Century Antique Asprey International Limited Trunks and Luggage
Animal Skin
Early 20th Century Asprey International Limited Trunks and Luggage
Early 19th Century English Antique Asprey International Limited Trunks and Luggage
Brass
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Asprey International Limited Trunks and Luggage
Silver
1930s French Vintage Asprey International Limited Trunks and Luggage
Leather
1860s English Georgian Antique Asprey International Limited Trunks and Luggage
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century North American Asprey International Limited Trunks and Luggage
Crocodile, Canvas, Satin
19th Century English Chinese Export Antique Asprey International Limited Trunks and Luggage
Brass, Metal
1910s Vintage Asprey International Limited Trunks and Luggage
Leather
19th Century French Antique Asprey International Limited Trunks and Luggage
Iron
20th Century French Modern Asprey International Limited Trunks and Luggage
Leather
Early 20th Century American Asprey International Limited Trunks and Luggage
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Asprey International Limited Trunks and Luggage
Brass
20th Century English Asprey International Limited Trunks and Luggage
Crocodile
20th Century English Asprey International Limited Trunks and Luggage
Leather
1980s English Vintage Asprey International Limited Trunks and Luggage
Brass
Early 1900s British Other Antique Asprey International Limited Trunks and Luggage
Brass
1950s British Vintage Asprey International Limited Trunks and Luggage
Silver