19th Century Victorian Ormolu Book Slide Asprey
Item Status:
View Similar Items View More
19th Century Victorian Ormolu Book Slide Asprey
About
This is a wonderful 19th century Victorian Gothic Revival ormolu self closing book slide with fabulous Pietra Dura decoration of Derbyshire black slate inlaid with semi precious gemstones in floral pattern, circa 1870 in date.
The underside bears the label of the world renowned retailer Asprey London, it is also stamped BETJEMANN'S PATENT 6907 to one side and SELF CLOSING BOOK SLIDE 6907, on the other, for the specialist maker of book slides and vanity boxes, Betjemann & Sons.
It is a delightful object which will display your favourite books beautifully.
Condition:
In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 19 x width 58 x depth 17 - when fully opened.
Height 19 x width 36 x depth 17 - when closed.
Dimensions in inches:
Height 7 inches x width 1 foot, 11 inches x depth 7 inches - when fully opened.
Height 7 inches x width 1 foot, 2 inches x depth 7 inches - when closed.
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.
Betjemann & Sons
From 1859, based at 36-40 Pentonville Road, London, George Betjemann amd his two sons took the art of cabinet, box and book slide making to new heights. They specialised in designs for operating the way that different compartments in vanity boxes opened and also the sprung system for book slides.
Pietra dura is a term for the inlay technique of using cut and fitted, highly polished coloured stones to create images. It is considered a decorative art.
Pietre dure is an Italian plural meaning "hard rocks" or hardstones; the singular pietra dura is also encountered in Italian. In Italian, but not in English, the term embraces all gem engraving and hardstone carving, which is the artistic carving of three-dimensional objects in semi-precious stone, normally from a single piece, for example in Chinese jade.
The traditional convention in English has been to use the singular pietra dura just to denote multi-colored inlay work. However, in recent years there has been a trend to use pietre dure as a term for the same thing, but not for all of the techniques it covers, in Italian.
But the title of a 2008 exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Art of the Royal Court: Treasures in Pietre Dure from the Palaces of Europe used the full Italian sense of the term, probably because they thought that it had greater brand recognition. The material on the website speaks of objects such as a vase in lapis lazuli as being examples of "hardstone carving (pietre dure)"
The Victoria & Albert Museum in London uses both versions on its website, but uses pietra dura. "A method of inlaying coloured marbles or semi-precious stones into a stone base, often in geometric or flower patterns...."
Giovanni Montelatici (1864-1930) was an Italian Florentine artist whose brilliant work has been distributed across the world by tourists and collectors. Owners of Giovanni's work included Donald Trump.
Ormolu - (from French 'or moulu', signifying ground or pounded gold) is an 18th-century English term for applying finely ground, high-carat gold in a mercury amalgam to an object of bronze.The mercury is driven off in a kiln leaving behind a gold-coloured veneer known as 'gilt bronze'.
The manufacture of true ormolu employs a process known as mercury-gilding or fire-gilding, in which a solution of nitrate of mercury is applied to a piece of copper, brass, or bronze, followed by the application of an amalgam of gold and mercury. The item was then exposed to extreme heat until the mercury burned off and the gold remained, adhered to the metal object.
No true ormolu was produced in France after around 1830 because legislation had outlawed the use of mercury. Therefore, other techniques were used instead but nothing surpasses the original mercury-firing ormolu method for sheer beauty and richness of colour. Electroplating is the most common modern technique. Ormolu techniques are essentially the same as those used on silver, to produce silver-gilt (also known as vermeil).
Details
- Production TimeAvailable Now
- Of the Period
- Place of Origin
- Date of Manufacturecirca 1870
- Period
- Materials and Techniques
- ConditionExcellent
- DimensionsH 7.49 in. x W 22.84 in. x D 6.7 in.H 19 cm x W 58 cm x D 17 cm
- Seller LocationLondon, GB
- Seller Reference Number06778
- Reference NumberLU95066338703
Buyer Protection Guaranteed
Our Promise To You: If you're not happy with the way an item arrived, we'll work with the seller on your behalf to ensure you're satisfied with the resolution. Read more
Delivery, Returns & Payment
- DeliveryRates vary by destination and complexityShipping methods are determined by item size, type, fragility and specific characteristics.Shipping costs are calculated based on carrier rates, delivery distance and packing complexity.
- Return Policy
This item can be returned within 14 days of delivery.
View details
- Online Payment Methods1stdibs accepts the following payment methods
About the Seller
4.9 / 5
Vetted
Platinum Seller
1stdibs seller since 2012
Located in London, GB
Associations:
LAPADA - The Association of Arts & Antiques Dealers
You may also contact the seller by phoneCall seller through 1stdibs
More From This Seller
19th Century Victorian Malachite and Ormolu-Mou...
Antique 1870s English Victorian Inkwells
Malachite, Ormolu
This is a wonderful antique Victorian ormolu and malachite mounted inkwell, circa 1870 in date.
The ormolu inkwell has a decorative inset turquoise cabochon gemstone with a chain ...
Antique Coromandel Ormolu & Sevres Porcelain Wr...
Antique 1850s English Victorian More Desk Accessories
Porcelain, Ormolu, Wood
A lovely antique Victorian Coromandel ormolu mounted writing slope, the lid applied with an oval Sevres porcelain plaque of cherubs with floral wreaths and doves within a decorative ...
Antique French Egyptian Revival Ormolu Sphinx, ...
Antique 1850s French Egyptian Revival More Desk Accessories
Marble, Bronze
This is a fine antique 19th century gilt bronze Egyptian revival figure of a recumbent sphinx raised on a decorative ceined marble rectangular plinth.
It is a fine piece which w...
Antique Italian Pietra Dura Mounted Ormolu Bask...
Antique 1880s Italian More Desk Accessories
Ormolu
This is a superb quality antique Italian Pietra Dura mounted gilt bronze basket dating from the late 19th century.
Of striking pierced form set with four highly decorative Pietra ...
You May Also Like
19th Century Bronze and Ormolu Ostrich Inkwell
$1,274 / set
19th Century Bronze and Ormolu Ostrich Inkwell
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Inkwells
Bronze, Ormolu
An unusual 19th century bronze and ormolu Inkwell, in the form of running Ostrich with hinged lid, mounted on oval base with fallen rocks for use as a pen holder, ending on moulded p...
English Victorian 19th Century Silver Plated Biscuit Box in the form of a book
By Deykin & Sons
$2,080
English Victorian 19th Century Silver Plated Bi...
Deykin & Sons
Antique 19th Century English Victorian More Desk Accessories
Silver Plate
A very decorative silver plated biscuit box in the form of a book.The lid decorated with engraved pattern and surmounted by a a handle in the form of a ribbon bow. Decorated in the s...
19th Century Bronze and Ormolu Pentray
$1,066 / set
19th Century Bronze and Ormolu Pentray
Antique Mid-19th Century English Regency Desk Sets
Bronze, Glass, Ormolu
A mid-19th century Regency period bronze and ormolu pentray, having cut-glass inkwells flanking central wafer box, contained in grape and vine border with carrying handles, ending on...
19th Century Charles X Ormolu Ink Stand
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Boxes
Ormolu
A Charles X ormolu ink stand in the shape of a globe surrounded by three rams head pen supports with animal legs and hoofs on a tripartite base. The top is removable revealing a silv...
19th Century bronze and ormolu scalloped pen tray
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Desk Sets
Bronze, Ormolu
A late 19th century bronze and ormolu scalloped oval shaped pen tray, enclosing inkwells and central lidded compartment, having applied ram's head mounts, supported on lion monopodia.
Victorian Ceremonial Wood Gavel, Late 19th Century
$1,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Victorian Ceremonial Wood Gavel, Late 19th Century
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian More Desk Accessories
Wood
The gavel head with blind carved chain at center. The gavel with Flower on one end and plain surface on the other and a twisted rope like handle. Possibly Masonic.
19th Century Continental Desk Top Book Stand
Antique Late 19th Century Austrian More Desk Accessories
Bronze
An amusing antique Austrian bronze book stand, well-modeled as a mining cart flanked by dwarfs, each pulling in a different direction.
19th Century Regency Ormolu and Tortoiseshell P...
Antique Early 19th Century English George III Desk Sets
Tortoise Shell, Ormolu
An early 19th century Regency period ormolu and tortoiseshell pentray, having scrolled handle flanked by “lobed” glass inkwells with matching lids, supported on ball feet.
Why Shop on 1stdibs?
Only Vetted, Professional Sellers
Buyer Protection Guaranteed
Fully Insured Global Deliveries