Asprey Vintage Leather Mounted Historical Globe Bookends

Name: Asprey Vintage Leather Mounted Historical Globe Bookends
Brand: Asprey & Garrard Limited
Rating: 5 (186 reviews)

About the Item

A stunning and quality pair British leather mounted globe bookends by renowned London based luxury goods retailer Asprey and dating from the 20th Century. These exceptional bookends are mounted on L shaped weighted stands covered in very fine hand stitched black patent leather with material covered bases. Each is mounted with a recreation of a historic globe of the world dating from 1492. The globes have been produced in a similar manner and have been color printed in sections which have been assembled and overlapped to form the world. The globes rotate freely on a brass spindle and are mounted on a brass foot and set within a wood mounted printed measure. Both have gold printed Asprey makers marks to the bases. A wonderful and beautifully recreated pair of historical globes incorporating the original makers details and today these would retail for upwards of £2,500. Provenance: Acquired from the UK Art Market. In good overall condition with light wear associated to age and use.

Creator:
Asprey & Garrard Limited (Designer)
Dimensions:
Height: 6.3 in (16 cm)Width: 4.73 in (12 cm)Depth: 4.73 in (12 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 2
Style:
Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Belgian Black Marble,Brass,Leather,Wood,Hand-Crafted
Place of Origin:
United Kingdom
Period:
Mid-20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
20th Century
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Bishop's Stortford, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: TC251191stDibs: LU1328249370982

Shop All Asprey & Garrard Limited

Asprey & Garrard Limited

The first official Crown Jeweler for the British royal family, Garrard & Co. Limited has crafted iconic and historically celebrated rings, watches, necklaces and other jewelry for centuries.

Garrard Co. Ltd registered its current name in 1909 and, despite a temporary merger and relocation with Asprey, the firm still operates out of its original location on Albermarle St. in London. It was acquired by American private equity firm Yucaipa Companies in 2006.

Master silversmith George Wickes founded Garrard in 1735 and quickly gained a regal platform with patronage from Frederick, Prince of Wales. The company underwent a range of name changes and shifts in leadership over the years, with Robert Garrard becoming a partner in 1792. He assumed sole control of the firm a decade later and eventually passed the company down to his sons — James, Sebastian and Robert Garrard II — where it would remain in the Garrard family until 1946 with the death of Robert’s great-grandson.

Garrard created silver, tableware and decorative objects for the royal family as well as the Crown Jewels for a range of coronations beginning with King Edward VII’s in 1902. The esteemed luxury house created Queen Victoria's Small Diamond Crown, which featured colorless stones and was suitable to be worn while she mourned the passing of her last husband, Prince Albert. Later, for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, Garrard provided a pair of gold armlets. The company’s 1893 Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara adorns Queen Elizabeth II on British banknotes.

Among Garrard’s best known works is undoubtedly Princess Diana’s engagement ring — a 12-carat blue sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds, set in 18-karat white gold. Unlike most royal engagement rings, the one Princess Diana chose wasn’t a one-of-a-kind piece commissioned from the Crown Jeweler, but rather a catalog offering for anyone who could swing the $60,000 price tag. As a result, this was a matter of controversy within the royal family. It is now Kate Middleton’s ring.

Garrard is committed to ethical sourcing and sustainable practices. Today, its all-female design team — led by creative director Sara Prentice — continues to merge ageless techniques with modern technology to uphold the firm’s legacy in the creation of precious handcrafted engagement rings, brooches and other adornments.

While Garrard and the royal family parted ways in 2007, the house still produces pieces that captivate new generations of jewelry wearers all over the world, just as it has for hundreds of years.

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