Antique Parquetry Ormolu Mounted Casket, 19th Century

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 truly magnificent and substantial antique French luxury ormolu casket, circa 1880 in date. This exceptional casket is rectangular in shape ...

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 a stunning antique 19th century French Palais Royal pierced brass and porcelain mounted domed rectangular table casket , Circa 1870 in date...

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 ...

A very good quality French 19th Century onyx, ormolu mounted jewellery casket, having Pietra dura floral plaques to each corner, set into classically shaped gilded ormolu mounts. Ba...

A fine quality late 19th century gilded ormolu and Sevres style porcelain mounted casket, the hinged lid opening to a silk lined interior (needing repair) and raised on ormolu melon ...

The borders of the casket are mounted with varied stones including marble, agate and porphyry. Offered with a letter on the stationery of George W. Funk, dealers of Italian and Sp...

An exceptional Belle Époque period French artisan-crafted enameled jewel casket. Born in the late 19th century, having a square beveled and etched butterf...

An attractive small oakwood casket most probably manufactured in the late 19th century. This object, richly decorated with external metal fittings has three drawers inside and quotes...