Asprey Antique Jewellery Box with Betjemann Patent Mechanism & Candlesticks
Ref DL011
SOLD
This exquisite antique jewellery box by Asprey is veneered in Coromandel and finely edged in brass. It features an extraordinary set of internal mechanisms enabling it to cantilever and open out into six compartmented tiers. This mechanism, considered as one of the pinnacles of box-making, was designed and patented by George Betjemann & Sons.
The large self-locking Bramah lock aperture is stamped with 'ASPREY'S PATENT' around the circumference. 'Asprey's Patent' refers to the design of the lock, whereby the front aperture slides to the right, disengaging the locking mechanism and thus allows the box to then be opened.
The interior is lined in burgundy velvet and partitioned into ten cushioned sections. The front flap of the box drops forward to allow the top two compartments to swing outward at right-angles. This in turn reveals another two compartments underneath, also partitioned into ten velvet-lined sections. These secondary spring-loaded tiers cantilever out by pressing a sliding button at the base of the box. When fully opened out, further push buttons on the secondary tiers are revealed, and these release concealed spring-loaded drawers from the front of them. These drawers, made from solid Satinwood with intricate dovetail joinery, have velvet-lined compartments and full width ring/ cuff-link channels.
There are five large Hobnail cut glass bottles at the rear of the box that are held in place by a decorative fretworked gilt-brass gallery. The silver bottle tops, each engraved with the monogram 'C.A.A', are hallmarked London 1879, with the silversmith's stamp of Charles Asprey & Sons. They have been plated in 22 carat gold.
Directly beneath the gallery are two concealed leather-bound pull-out drawers with matching velvet lining. The large leather-lined base of the box contains a separate full-width velvet-lined compartment. Gilt-brass plaques inlaid into the rims of the base section, read 'Betjemann's 45' and 'Patent 45'.
The lid of the box has been fitted with two gilt-brass 'Equipoise' unfolding candlesticks, alongside a removable gilt-brass framed mirror. The inclusion of these adjustable candlesticks allowed the box to be used by candlelight, without requiring any other external light source.
The main right-hand hinge has incremental adjustments to allow the mirror (when stored inside the lid) to be adjusted for the perfect viewing angle. Beneath the mirror is an engraved gilt-brass maker's plate that reads 'Charles Asprey & Sons - 166 Bond Street, London'.
The Bramah lock is fully working and comes with its original Bramah key. ... Read More
The large self-locking Bramah lock aperture is stamped with 'ASPREY'S PATENT' around the circumference. 'Asprey's Patent' refers to the design of the lock, whereby the front aperture slides to the right, disengaging the locking mechanism and thus allows the box to then be opened.
The interior is lined in burgundy velvet and partitioned into ten cushioned sections. The front flap of the box drops forward to allow the top two compartments to swing outward at right-angles. This in turn reveals another two compartments underneath, also partitioned into ten velvet-lined sections. These secondary spring-loaded tiers cantilever out by pressing a sliding button at the base of the box. When fully opened out, further push buttons on the secondary tiers are revealed, and these release concealed spring-loaded drawers from the front of them. These drawers, made from solid Satinwood with intricate dovetail joinery, have velvet-lined compartments and full width ring/ cuff-link channels.
There are five large Hobnail cut glass bottles at the rear of the box that are held in place by a decorative fretworked gilt-brass gallery. The silver bottle tops, each engraved with the monogram 'C.A.A', are hallmarked London 1879, with the silversmith's stamp of Charles Asprey & Sons. They have been plated in 22 carat gold.
Directly beneath the gallery are two concealed leather-bound pull-out drawers with matching velvet lining. The large leather-lined base of the box contains a separate full-width velvet-lined compartment. Gilt-brass plaques inlaid into the rims of the base section, read 'Betjemann's 45' and 'Patent 45'.
The lid of the box has been fitted with two gilt-brass 'Equipoise' unfolding candlesticks, alongside a removable gilt-brass framed mirror. The inclusion of these adjustable candlesticks allowed the box to be used by candlelight, without requiring any other external light source.
The main right-hand hinge has incremental adjustments to allow the mirror (when stored inside the lid) to be adjusted for the perfect viewing angle. Beneath the mirror is an engraved gilt-brass maker's plate that reads 'Charles Asprey & Sons - 166 Bond Street, London'.
The Bramah lock is fully working and comes with its original Bramah key. ... Read More
- Width: 36.8 cm / 14.5 inches
- Depth: 29.1 cm / 11.5 inches
- Height: 24 cm / 9.5 inches
