20th Century British Solid Silver Magnifying Glass & Ruler, Asprey, c.1929
About the Item
- Creator:Asprey International Limited (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 7.88 in (20 cm)Width: 1.38 in (3.5 cm)Depth: 0.12 in (3 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1929
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. In Great Condition - No Damage.
- Seller Location:Royal Tunbridge Wells, GB
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Royal Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- 20th Century British Solid Silver Letter Opener, Asprey & Co, c.1996By Asprey International LimitedLocated in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent20th Century British solid silver letter opener, terminating with a woven silver decoration mounted with a lapiz cabochon, in its original retail case. Hallmarked English silver (925...Category
20th Century British Letter Openers
MaterialsSilver
- 20th Century British Solid Silver 'Lucky Animals' Napkin Rings, Asprey, c.1913By Asprey International LimitedLocated in Royal Tunbridge Wells, KentAntique 20th Century stunning set of four solid silver 'lucky animals' napkin rings. Each napkin holder is in a shape of a wishbone and mounted with cast animals, depicting a duck, p...Category
20th Century British Serving Pieces
MaterialsSilver
- 20th Century Art Deco Solid Silver & Guilloche Enamel Ashtrays, C.1929Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, KentAntique 20th century Art Deco pair of solid silver ash trays, applied with a beautiful blue enamelled borders, Hallmarked English Silver (925 standard), Birmingham, year 1929 (E), Ma...Category
20th Century British Art Deco Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsSilver, Enamel
- 20th Century British Solid Silver 'Rifle Regiment' Centrepieces, c.1961Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, KentImpressive mid-20th century British one of a kind military centerpieces, each modelled as a quiver of arrows supporting a laurel wreath, on a recumbent writhen dragon, mounted to an ...Category
20th Century English Centerpieces
MaterialsSterling Silver
- 21th Century Solid Silver Ruler By Richard O.A Jarvis, England, c.2003Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, KentAn early 21st century novelty "Premier Rule" measuring ruler with all the British Prime Ministers listed from Sir Robert Walpole 1721 up until Tony Blair 1997. It is made of solid silver, featuring centimeter and inch measuring markers. Presented in a beautiful original box. Hallmarked English Silver (925 standard), London, year 2003 (d), Maker Richard O.A. Jarvis (Richard Jarvis...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scientific Instruments
MaterialsSilver
- 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
- Vintage American Magnifying Glass, circa 20th CenturyLocated in Napa, CAFree-standing vintage magnifying glass. American, circa 20th century. Curving articulated arm on pebbled black base.Category
20th Century Scientific Instruments
- Vintage American Brass Gooseneck Magnifying Glass, circa 20th CenturyLocated in Napa, CAFreestanding vintage gooseneck magnifying glass on a scalloped black metal base. Metal with brass finish; a few dents; wear according to...Category
20th Century Scientific Instruments
MaterialsMetal
- 20th Century Solid Silver Miniature of CarriageBy Argenteria EtruriaLocated in VALENZA, ITSilver miniature reproducing a Roman 18th century Italian carriage, part of the "Le carrozze di Fasto" series, a collection of carriages in solid 800 °° / °°° silver, gilted and ...Category
1990s Italian Other Sterling Silver
MaterialsSilver
- 20th Century Italian Solid Silver Double Pipe HolderBy Arval Argenti ValenzaLocated in VALENZA, ITQueen Anne style double pipe holder in solid silver. The pipe holders have a round fluted base pods and are fixed on the silver tray with small bolts that are removable for cleanin...Category
1990s Italian Queen Anne Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsSilver
- 20th Century Italian Solid 800 Silver 4-Piece Collection Bonsai MiniaturesBy Argenteria EtruriaLocated in VALENZA, ITCollection of 4 Bonsai miniatures in solid silver handmade, gilded, enamelled and burnished 1. Japanese apricot bonsai gr. 220 cm. 6 x 10.5 H. 8.5 wooden base 5 x 9 H.2 cm. 2. J...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Japonisme Sterling Silver
MaterialsSilver
- 20th Century Italian Solid Silver Holy Water Stoup with TapBy Arval Argenti ValenzaLocated in VALENZA, ITHoly water stoup in 800 solid silver. Made entirely by hand, embossed and chiseled with leaves and pods motif. The lid is removable to allow water to ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Other Sterling Silver
MaterialsSilver