Antique Asprey Jewelry Casket Ormolu & Malachite, circa 1870

This is a superb antique gilt bronze and agate mounted casket by Asprey, Circa 1870 in date. The casket features a rectangular outline with domed lid which opens to reveal two clear glass scent bottles. It is stamped Charles Asprey, 166 Bond Street, Provenance: Lady Elizabeth Prinfle Lady in waiting to Queen Victoria, lived at Bonchurch, Isle of Wight It is a lovely piece which will make an unforgettable gift. Condition: In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: height 10.5 x width 12.5 x depth 7.5 Dimensions in inches: height 4 inches x width 5 inches x depth 3 inches Asprey was established in England in 1781 and founded as a silk printing business by William Asprey, it soon became a luxury emporium. In 1841, William Asprey's elder son Charles went into partnership with a stationer located on London's Bond Street. In 1847 the family broke with this partner and moved into 167 New Bond Street, the premises Asprey occupies today. From its central London location Asprey advertised 'articles of exclusive design and high quality, whether for personal adornment or personal accompaniment and to endow with richness and beauty the table and homes of people of refinement and discernment.' An early speciality was dressing cases. Asprey crafted traditional cases and designs, mostly in leather, suitable for the new style of travel ushered in by railways. The main competitors at the time were H.J. Cave & Sons. Asprey was recognised for its expertise when it won a gold medal for its dressing cases at the International Exhibition of 1862 but lost out to its rivals, H.J. Cave & Sons in 1867. The company consolidated its position through acquisitions. In 1859 Asprey absorbed Edwards, an award winning maker of dressing cases and holder of a Royal Warrant. The company also purchased the Alfred Club at 22 Albemarle Street, which backed on to the New Bond Street store and meant that Asprey now had entrances on two of London's most fashionable streets. In 1862, Asprey was granted a Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria. The Prince of Wales, later to be crowned Edward VII, granted another Royal Warrant. In 1953, for the coronation of Elizabeth II, Asprey paid homage with the Asprey Coronation Year Gold Collection, which featured a dessert, coffee and liqueur service in 18-carat gold and weighed almost 27 pounds. In April 1953, it went on show in the New Bond Street store and subsequently toured the United States. As the business grew, the company acquired manufacturing facilities and hired silversmiths, goldsmiths, jewellers and watchmakers including Ernest Betjeman, the father of the distinguished poet John Betjeman, one of the most highly regarded craftsman and designers of his day. In the twenties, commissions poured in from around the world, from American millionaire J. Pierpont Morgan to potentates such as the Maharaja of Patiala, who commissioned a huge teak travelling trunk for each of his wives in which each trunk was fitted with solid silver washing and bathing utensils with waterspouts of ornate tiger head and lined with blue velvet. Asprey cigarette cases became collectable amongst young sophisticates who delighted in its other modern products, including travel clocks, safety razors and automatic pencil sharpeners. Asprey Jewellery Asprey has a tradition of producing jewellery inspired by the blooms found in English gardens. Over the decades jewelled interpretations of flowers have evolved to include the Crown Daisy, Rose, Calla Lily and Lily Pad collections. The master diamond cutter Gabi Tolkowsky created the Asprey cut. The cushion cut gave Tolkowsky options for incorporating the Asprey "A" inscription around the edges of the stone. The result was the 61-facet Asprey cut, maximising light refraction to brilliant effect. The shape of the Asprey cut means that the cutting process can be done only by hand, unlike many other stones that involve machine cutting. Asprey Leather - the women's collection of clutches and handbags, such as those featured in the 1781 collection, come from crocodile, python and ostrich. The men's collection includes wallets, cardholders and travel watch cases crafted from lido, calf or alligator. Other items include the briefcases and backgammon boards. Asprey Silver - offers classic and whimsical contemporary silver pieces – such as the saltcellar fashioned to look like a cement mixer...

This is a wonderful antique French Gonçalo Alves marquetry and ormolu mounted casket, circa 1860 in date. The casket of bureau form has a lift up top and is inlaid with a marquetry ...

This is a beautiful antique French Limoges ormolu mounted rectangular bombe' shaped table casket, circa 1870 in date and bearing the Limoges marks on the underside. The Royal Blue c...

This is a fabulous antique French Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain jewellery casket, circa 1860 in date. This magnificent casket is rectangular in shape with the top and each side except...

This is an absolutely fabulous antique French Ormolu and Sèvres Porcelain desktop correspondence casket, circa 1870 in date. Of rectangular form, the front top and sides feature b...

Antique Italian Sorrento Ware olive wood casket, circa 1920 You are viewing a gorgeous antique Italian book design casket, from Sorrento, famous for it'...

Antique 19th century malachite and ormolu casket Russian, Mid-19th Century Height 9cm, width 21cm, depth 15cm This magnificent malachite casket celebrates the work of 19th century ...

Stunning malachite and ormolu marriage casket or box Such a dazzling interplay of colours between the malachite and the gilt / ormolu fixtures Great de...

A stunning and ornate Sévres Bleu Celeste jewelry casket with gold ormolu details. Delicately hand painted with flowers, this iconic style of Sévres ...

This is an extraordinary box. It is a perfect example of the fine process of enameling and ormolu fitting that took place in 19th century France.

Antique French pink enameled ormolu box, circa 1860-1870 FBX024.

A magnificent, fine and impressive antique Indian silver dressing table set; part of our silverware collection. This magnificent antique I...