Asprey, a selection of 50 objects
Established in 1781, Asprey is a British House specialized in luxury goods of various kind from the highest quality and refinement.
The categories handled by this brand includes jewelries, watches, diamonds, as well as silver and leather collections.
Even though today this brand is much less famous than before especially among the younger generation, the 1920s and 1930s were probably the golden decades for Asprey. During this period, the Bristish House produced beautiful pieces following the inventivity and modernism of The Art Deco movement soaring at that time.
Asprey London Store on New Bond Street in the 1990s
During the Second world war, Asprey kept craftsmen and workshops open in London and business flourished after the war, especially thanks to bespoke commissions from around the world.
The bespoke service is still available today, probably to a much scaler scale that is was several decades ago, but continuing to produce unique pieces for a very refined clientele.
After going through hundreds of Asprey sold at auction over the past several years, here is a selection of my varourites objets de virtue witnessing of a golden area where even daily life objects could be elevated to a level of a luxury.
Cocktail shakers
Cocktail shakers reached an all time in popularity in the twenties and thirties, taking various shapes and becoming highly collectable. Up to now, the cocktail shaker is more than just a tool but a symbol of elegance and a highly desired object for a styligh drinker. Asprey has produced some of the most eccentric cocktail shakers, taking unusual forms.
“Dumbell” Silver Plated Cocktail Shaker (circa 1930s)
Thirst Extinguisher cocktail shaker (circa 1930s)
Silver Fire Hydrant Cocktail Shaker (1998)
Silver plated Cocktail shaker (1936)
Joy Bell silver plated Cocktail Shaker (circa 1930s)
Lighthouse Cocktail Shaker in Sterling Silver (circa 2010)
Asprey “Tell Me How” Silver Plated Cocktail Shaker (circa 1930s)
Shotgun Cartridge Silver Plated Cocktail Shaker (circa 1950s)
Champagne Bottle Sterling Silver Cocktail Shaker (2001)
Gold accessories :
Asprey is able to turn some of the most basic accessories into precious objets collectable by refined men. One of the way to do this and elevate these simple object into real “objects de virtue” is to produce them in solid yellow gold. Below is a selection of several daily life objects released by Asprey in solid gold over the past decades :
An 18 carat gold key chain and charm (1996)
A pair of 9 carat gold collar stiffeners (1974)
9ct gold Rolls Royce key ring (1970s)
A 9 carat gold comb (1960s)
A cased pair of 18 carat gold dice (1971)
9ct gold watch/lighter (circa 1930s)
Ferrari Testarossa 18k Gold Cufflinks (1960s)
A 9ct gold pen watch (1930s)
A 9ct Gold Cigar Cutter (1975)
An American gold coin money clip (1992)
9ct gold propelling toothpick (1990s)
Various Boxes :
A 9 carat gold 'Wafer' lighter (1970)
A silver cigarette case with engraved map of the United Kingdom (1935)
A silver-mounted purple stained crocodile cigar box (2003)
An 18ct yellow gold cigar box (1957)
Hand-engraved sterling silver cigar or cigarette box (circa 1950s)
Shagreen Art Deco Cigar Box (1930s)
Watches and Jewelry :
Pink sapphires and diamonds “pink panther” brooch
A gold diamond set dual time wristwatch with Khanjar emblem (Circa 1980)
A gentleman’s dress set decorated with the Crest of the Sultan of Oman
Jaeger-LeCoultre Key Pendant retailed by Asprey (1930s)
A rare Audemars Piguet 1gold Monaco Cent Francs Coin watch retailed by Asprey (1930s)
A 9K Rolex gold keyless wind open face pocket watch retailed by Asprey (1930s)
A rare Domino watch (1940s)
Rolex Datejust, 1601 with Lapis Lazuli dial together with cufflinks and wallet retailed by Adprey (1973)
Gaming :
Gambling Poker Chip Carousel (1930s)
A travelling Backgammon set (1950s)
Pair of crystal dices (1930s)
Other Objects :
An Elizabeth II Sterling Silver Dog Bowl (1984)
A cased desk set (1990s)
An English Silver Lobster-From Caviar Box and Cover (1980s)
A chestnut crocodile suitcase (1925)
A solid silver Warwick vase
Rare novelty silver spirit flask in the form of binoculars (1895)
A rare Victorian silver lemon squeezer (circa 1900)
A silver model of a soldier on Camel back (1973)
A black leather picnic case (1930s)
An Asprey 'Hornet' mascot (circa 1930)
Two box sets of polished hardstone salts (1950s)
Silver and gilt novelty 'cartridge' salt and pepper pots (1944)