Antique Dressing Case in Burr Walnut with Silver-Gilt / Gold Fittings by Asprey & Sons
Ref DL084
SOLD
Manufactured and retailed by Charles Asprey & Sons in 1868, this large antique dressing case is veneered in Burr Walnut with brass edging and brass recessed side handles.
The self-locking Bramah lock is stamped with ‘ASPREY'S PATENT' around the circumference of the front aperture. 'Asprey's Patent' refers to the design of the lock, whereby the front aperture slides to the right or downwards, disengaging the locking mechanism and thus allowing the box to then be opened.
The interior, lined in green leather, moire silk and velvet, contains fifteen cut glass vanity bottles and jars with silver-gilt, engraved and engine-turned lids. The central rear bottle sits inside a matching silver-gilt cup. Solid gold discs inset onto the lids and onto the front of the cup are engraved with the decorative monogram 'H.G.D.D'. Each of the silver fittings bear the maker's mark of James Beebe and are hallmarked London 1867/8. The larger lids also display the stamp of 'Asprey - 166 Bond Street'. An embossed, gold-tooled maker's mark at the rear of the box reads, 'Asprey & Sons. Makers. 166 Bond Street. London.'
A secondary 'Asprey's Patent' Bramah lock slides downwards to release the spring-loaded lower drawer. A removable leather-bound vanity tool tray fitted within, contains a set of matching silver-gilt and gilt metal, engraved tools: these include a medicine spoon, pair of tweezers, stiletto, tongue scraper, penknife, two pairs of steel scissors by Edwards, a napkin hook, needle case, bodkin/ ribbon threader, Mordan & Co ink pen, nail file and cuticle scraper, cork screw and button hook.
A free-standing gilt brass mirror, decorated with engraved design and engine turning, is fitted into the lid. Once removed, a concealed leather-bound letter wallet drops forward.
Both Bramah lock plates are engraved with 'Asprey - 166 Bond Street', and come with their Bramah keys. ... Read More
The self-locking Bramah lock is stamped with ‘ASPREY'S PATENT' around the circumference of the front aperture. 'Asprey's Patent' refers to the design of the lock, whereby the front aperture slides to the right or downwards, disengaging the locking mechanism and thus allowing the box to then be opened.
The interior, lined in green leather, moire silk and velvet, contains fifteen cut glass vanity bottles and jars with silver-gilt, engraved and engine-turned lids. The central rear bottle sits inside a matching silver-gilt cup. Solid gold discs inset onto the lids and onto the front of the cup are engraved with the decorative monogram 'H.G.D.D'. Each of the silver fittings bear the maker's mark of James Beebe and are hallmarked London 1867/8. The larger lids also display the stamp of 'Asprey - 166 Bond Street'. An embossed, gold-tooled maker's mark at the rear of the box reads, 'Asprey & Sons. Makers. 166 Bond Street. London.'
A secondary 'Asprey's Patent' Bramah lock slides downwards to release the spring-loaded lower drawer. A removable leather-bound vanity tool tray fitted within, contains a set of matching silver-gilt and gilt metal, engraved tools: these include a medicine spoon, pair of tweezers, stiletto, tongue scraper, penknife, two pairs of steel scissors by Edwards, a napkin hook, needle case, bodkin/ ribbon threader, Mordan & Co ink pen, nail file and cuticle scraper, cork screw and button hook.
A free-standing gilt brass mirror, decorated with engraved design and engine turning, is fitted into the lid. Once removed, a concealed leather-bound letter wallet drops forward.
Both Bramah lock plates are engraved with 'Asprey - 166 Bond Street', and come with their Bramah keys. ... Read More
- Width: 39.1 cm / 15.5 inches
- Depth: 28.3 cm / 11.25 inches
- Height: 21.2 cm / 8.3 inches
