Asprey Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Betjemann Patent Mechanism & Candlesticks
Ref DL016
SOLD
Dating from 1881, this impressive antique jewellery box is veneered in Coromandel, edged in brass with a central inlaid brass 'M.R' monogram to the top. Patented by George Betjemann & Sons, the box features an ingenious set of internal mechanisms, allowing it to cantilever and open out into six compartmented sections.
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 of the box is lined and ruched with royal purple velvet. The front flap of the box drops forward to reveal a fitted and stamped Asprey brass cased strut clock and matching barometer, along with a silver-gilt perfume/ cologne bottle. The strut clock has a frosted glass dial and a rear unfolding candle holder, allowing the dial to be visible at night by its own candlelight.
The top two sections of the box swing outward at right-angles. This in turn reveals another two sections underneath that are spring-loaded, and cantilever out automatically by pressing a sliding button at the base of the box. When fully opened out, further push buttons on these secondary sections release concealed spring-loaded front drawers. These drawers, made from solid Satinwood with intricate dovetail joinery, have velvet-lined compartments and full width ring/ cuff-link channels.
The rear jewellery section of the box has a decorative foliate gilt-brass gallery frontage, beneath which 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 75' and 'Patent 75'.
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 originally 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 & Son - 166 Bond Street, London'.
The box retains its original leather outer case with sheepskin interior. This case, with matching 'M.R' stamp, has been designed to accommodate the full cantilever action of the box when fully opened.
The Bramah lock, stamped 'Asprey, 166 Bond St' 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 of the box is lined and ruched with royal purple velvet. The front flap of the box drops forward to reveal a fitted and stamped Asprey brass cased strut clock and matching barometer, along with a silver-gilt perfume/ cologne bottle. The strut clock has a frosted glass dial and a rear unfolding candle holder, allowing the dial to be visible at night by its own candlelight.
The top two sections of the box swing outward at right-angles. This in turn reveals another two sections underneath that are spring-loaded, and cantilever out automatically by pressing a sliding button at the base of the box. When fully opened out, further push buttons on these secondary sections release concealed spring-loaded front drawers. These drawers, made from solid Satinwood with intricate dovetail joinery, have velvet-lined compartments and full width ring/ cuff-link channels.
The rear jewellery section of the box has a decorative foliate gilt-brass gallery frontage, beneath which 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 75' and 'Patent 75'.
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 originally 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 & Son - 166 Bond Street, London'.
The box retains its original leather outer case with sheepskin interior. This case, with matching 'M.R' stamp, has been designed to accommodate the full cantilever action of the box when fully opened.
The Bramah lock, stamped 'Asprey, 166 Bond St' is fully working and comes with its original Bramah key. ... Read More
- Width: 36.9 cm / 14.5 inches
- Depth: 28.9 cm / 11.5 inches
- Height: 23.9 cm / 9.5 inches
