I · The Maker/II · The Contents/III · The Collector's Piece/IV · Acquisition
Room I · The Maker
From 166 Bond Street
Asprey built their name on cases exactly like this one. The firm's first public honour came at the Great Exhibition of 1851, awarded for a dressing case, and by the Edwardian era Asprey were the undisputed masters of the form: Royal Warrant holders who fitted out the finest households in Britain. This is not merely a case retailed by Asprey; it is the very object they were most celebrated for making.
Room II · The Contents
Nothing missing
Under the lid, a cream silk-lined interior holds every piece in its fitted, leather-strapped compartment. At the centre sits a miniature sterling silver carriage clock on ball feet, with a white enamel dial, Roman numerals, 'Asprey London' on the face, an 8-day platform escapement and a shaped silver handle that folds flat. Around it: a silver hip flask, a silver-backed folding mirror on a wire stand, a silver-backed hairbrush, a button hook, two matching pomade pots with pull-off lids (one still holding its original pamper cloth), a tortoiseshell comb, three gilt-topped bottles and a shaving brush. Every silver piece carries full London hallmarks for 1908 and the maker's mark of Charles and George Asprey.
Room III · The Collector's Piece
A Duke's coronet, complete across a century
Gold-stamped on the lid is a ducal coronet, five strawberry leaves, the heraldic mark reserved for Dukes of the realm, above the initials 'L.D.' A case of this order was not bought from a shop display. It was commissioned by, or for, a member of one of Britain's most senior aristocratic families, and it has stayed complete across more than a century since.
Caseone honest fault
Very good
Tan leather with honest age wear and some cracking; stitching intact, brass lock turns securely with its original key.
Silk lining
Excellent
Clean, with no tears or staining.
Carriage clock
Original, unserviced condition; 8-day platform escapement, not currently running, serviceable on request.
Silver
Excellent
Hallmarks crisp across every piece; no dents to the flask, mirror intact, bristles and button hook sound, pomade lids close flush.
Tortoiseshell combone honest fault
Good
One or two teeth missing.
Glass bottles
Excellent
No cracks or chips; gilt tops thread on and off cleanly.
Completeness
Nothing missing from the fitted interior; every piece present and functional.
- Maker
- Asprey & Co, London (Charles & George Asprey)
- Date
- 1908 (Edwardian)
- Country
- England
- Hallmarks
- CA.GA maker's mark, lion passant (sterling), leopard's head (London), date letter "n" (1908). "ASPREY LONDON" stamped on clock dial, case, and instruments.
- Case Material
- Tan leather with brass lock
- Silver Standard
- Sterling, London hallmarked
- Dimensions
- 16.5 by 21.6 by 11.4 cm (6.5 by 8.5 by 4.5 inches)
- Provenance
- Ducal coronet (five strawberry leaves) with initials "L.D."
The Estate Collection
Room IV · Acquisition
€6.500
We'd love to discuss this piece with you.
Asprey & Co
€6.500
Enquiry
Asprey Dressing Case, 1908
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