Stunning Vintage Crocodile Document Box by Asprey & Co., London, 1927
View Similar Items
Stunning Vintage Crocodile Document Box by Asprey & Co., London, 1927
About the Item
- Creator:Asprey International Limited (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 6 in (15.24 cm)Width: 16 in (40.64 cm)Depth: 11 in (27.94 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1927
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU95345901263
Asprey International Limited
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.
- Antique Tan Crocodile Jewellery Box with Lift Tray Opening London Circa 1918-20Located in London, GBA wonderful Antique London Tan Crocodile jewelry box with lift tray opening, circa 1918-20 Beautifully matched crocodile skins have been used on...Category
Late 20th Century British Jewelry Boxes
MaterialsCrocodile, Leather
- Antique Large Silver Cigar box London 1897 by George HeathBy George HeathLocated in London, GBA Large Unusual Shaped Antique Silver Cigar box London 1897 by George Heath. A great silver cigar box of generous proportions and an unusual ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century British Cigar Boxes and Humidors
MaterialsSilver
- Antique early 20th Century Black Leather Document Box, circa 1910Located in London, GBA stunning early 20th century black leather document box, circa 1910. This box could serve as jewel box or for a watch collection having multiple lift out trays as shown, lined in s...Category
Vintage 1910s English Jewelry Boxes
MaterialsBrass
$3,160 Sale Price20% Off - Antique Automated English Sterling Silver Cigar Box, London, 1906Located in London, GBA wonderful antique automated English silver cigar box, date London 1906 . The box is opened by pulling the upper part of the central handle...Category
Early 20th Century British Cigar Boxes and Humidors
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Large Antique Art Deco Sterling Silver & Enamel Picture Frame Asprey & Co 1929By Asprey International LimitedLocated in London, GBA Large Rare Art Deco Sterling silver & Enamel photograph frame Made in Birmingham 1929 Makers Asprey & Co, Beautiful quality in a pure Art Deco form. The colour both the silver &...Category
Early 20th Century British Picture Frames
MaterialsSterling Silver, Enamel
- Antique Silver Artist’s Paint Box by Harry Atkin Sheffield 1892By J Aitkin & SonLocated in London, GBA stunning Antique Silver Artist’s paint box by Harry Atkin, Date Sheffield 1892. A Rare Miniature travelling paint box in excellent condition. The silver on both the outside and the interior is in superb condition. Upon opening, the front cascades down to reveal two wells for water and perhaps mixing colours. The interior is well protected thanks to the interior gilding. The lid engraved “Lettice’s Paint Box”. Lettice is a traditional, English girl’s name most commonly found in the upper classes. The actual paints are not original but the current set of paints are a later acceptable replacement. The miniature brush was with it but not original and doubt it ever had one. Dimensions; W 5” x D 3 1/4” H 1 1/4" About the maker; Atkin Brothers business traces his origin to Thomas Law...Category
Antique Late 19th Century British Decorative Boxes
MaterialsSilver
- Miniature Music and Jewelery Box, Asprey London, Movement by Reuge, SwitzerlandBy Asprey International LimitedLocated in Norwich, GBMusic and jewelery box, Asprey London. Movement by Reuge, Switzerland. Miniature jewellery and music box in the style of a grand piano in a mahogany and walnut veneered case inlaid with marquetry throughout featuring musical instruments, raised on three turned tapered legs. The front opening to reveal a traditional keyboard with brass button slider. The top opening to reveal a green baize lined jewellery compartment bearing a brass plaque signed ‘Asprey, London’. c.1970 A separate compartment opening within to reveal a Swiss musical movement by Reuge playing three airs by Tchaikovsky: March of the toy soldiers Waltz of the flowers Dance of the sugar plum...Category
Vintage 1970s English Jewelry Boxes
MaterialsMahogany
- Asprey - Art Deco Sterling Silver Cigar Box - London 1936By Asprey International LimitedLocated in London, LondonHallmarked in London in 1936 by Asprey & Co. Ltd., this handsome, Sterling Silver Cigarette Box, is in the Art Deco taste, with stepped detailing arou...Category
Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Cigar Boxes and Humidors
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Art Deco Shagreen Box by Asprey, EnglandBy Asprey International LimitedLocated in Philadelphia, PABeautifully finished in panels of ivory-toned shagreen, this hinged box is a superb example of the craftsmanship practiced by the famed Asprey Company in London. Founded in the late ...Category
Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Decorative Boxes
MaterialsShagreen
- Very Rare 1867 Asprey & Co. Coromandel Dressing Table Box Sterling Silver PearlBy Asprey International LimitedLocated in GBWe are delighted to offer for sale this very rare 1867 sterling silver hallmarked Asprey 166 Bond Street London Coromandel wood vanity dressing table box A very rare and high quality collectable piece, the box is solid Coromandel wood with brass edges, it’s a lovely dark timber with a similar grain to Rosewood. The suite inside is all sterling silver, fully hallmarked T.W for Thomas Whitehouse, the Queens head for Queen Victoria, the sideways facing Lion for Sterling silver, the Panther head for London and the date letter M for 1867 The box has Braham locks which were of such high quality Gillows of Lancaster an London used them on their finest furniture, at the back of the base section you have a hand engraved plaque which reads Asprey Maker 166 Bond Street London, in the middle of this plaque is a depression switch, if you press it a hidden drawer pops out of the bottom. The listing includes the original key The mirror pulls forward to reveal a hidden document folio...Category
Antique 1860s English Georgian Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- 20th Century Art Deco Pair Of Solid Silver Cigar Boxes, Asprey & Co, c.1936By Asprey International LimitedLocated in Royal Tunbridge Wells, KentAntique 20th Century British made solid silver pair of portable cigar boxes, made by one of the leading silversmiths of the day, Asprey & Co. The pa...Category
20th Century British Art Deco Cigar Boxes and Humidors
MaterialsSilver
$8,429 / setFree Shipping - Asprey London Solid Sterling Silver Cigarette Box Owned By The Mayor of LondonBy Charles & George AspreyLocated in High Wycombe, GBA Sterling Silver Hallmarked Engine Turned Cigarette Presentation Box With A Textured Border, by Asprey & Co London. Within an original Asprey & Co fitted case. Weight of silver 475g...Category
20th Century British Victorian Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
MaterialsSilver
$3,978 Sale Price44% Off