Asprey
Asprey was formed in 1781 initially as a silk printing business and later as a luxury goods emporium. In the 1840s, the company moved to its prestigious location of London's Bond Street, where the company remains to this day. Synonymous with luxury, this leading retailers are known for their royal warrants, spectacular sporting trophies and exceptional output that continues to the present day. Merging and later splitting with their contemporaries Garrard & Co between 1990 and 2002, Asprey has a long and incredibly rich history that is appreciated by collectors around the world.
In 1999 William Asprey, a seventh generation member of the Asprey family, launched the company William & Son. Dedicated to selling fine watches, jewellery and luxury items, William & Son also possess a Royal Warrant and sell exceptionally well at auction. Their pieces bear the sponsor's mark 'W.R.A.'
Asprey at Auction
Substantial and complete silver sets will always command a premium, complete canteens, trophies, tea sets, silver models all sell well at auction as expected. Smaller items to attract the interest of serious collectors include unique and characterful items including the trinket dishes below, sliding cigarette cases and placefinders. As purveyors of fine and antique silver through their secondhand offering, pieces purchased at Asprey are sure to achieve good prices under the hammer, with an assurance of quality through the provenance.
Gold items, including sets, intricately detailed boxes, clutch bags, cigarette cases, dressing table sets - all continue to sell well at auction, with a premium achieved in excess of metal weight for the prestige and craftsmanship associated with Asprey.
Asprey Jewellery
Renowned for using only the finest gemstones in the world and exceptional craftsmanship, there is no wonder that Asprey & Co jewellery frequently breaks auction records and achieves exceptional prices. Fine, gem-set rings, necklaces, tiaras, bracelets, brooches, earrings, cufflinks, suites of jewellery and even fine gem-set models have all sold well in excess of estimate at auctions. Some examples of fine gem-set rings have reached in excess of £200,000 at auction in the last few years, so it is always worth getting your jewellery valued and checked over by our specialist team.
Famed maker's to be retailed through Asprey over the years include Renee Boivin, Fabergé, Zolotas, as well as many exquisite unmarked antique pieces, sold together with Asprey & Co cases. These pieces consistently sell well with keen collectors.
Asprey Watches
Asprey was an official retailer of Rolex and is well known for selling customized pieces. Rolex allowed very few retailers to add their name to the dial of their watches. As such, these double-signed watches are rare and sought-after by collectors. Asprey has been a proud retailer of some of the world's most prestigious watches to include Patek Philippe, Piaget, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Cartier, La Montre Royale, Movado, Blancpain, Omega and Breitling. Limited edition timepieces including those by Concord retailed by Asprey can also exceed estimate at auction.
Exquisitely crafted desk clocks, carriage clocks and travel clocks by Asprey also retain an enduring appeal with horological collectors worldwide.
Asprey & The Khanjar
The Khanjar, the national emblem of Oman appears on Asprey & Co watches and form a rich part of the brand's history - Asprey pieces with this association and provenance are highly sought-after by an international bidder base. From the 1970's onwards, John Asprey became a key intermediary between the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said and some of the world's most prestigious watches and applied the Sultan's coat of arms either to the watch dial, or engraved to the case back from their Bond Street workshop. These double signed watches include Rolex, Patek Philippe, Baume & Mercier, IWC, Cartier and many more. Wristwatches and more rarely jewellery was ordered by the Omani government as gifts, and recipients included dignitaries, government ministers and various associates of the Sultan.
Our specialist Fine Jewellery & Watch auctions are held 4 times a year and include the whole spectrum of jewellery, from modern and designer pieces to antique jewels, coloured gemstone jewellery to fine diamond rings. Our department is headed by Liz Bailey who is FGA and DGA qualified, with many years experience in the industry. We offer a free jewellery valuation service as well as a free collection service for items consigned to these auctions.
Contact our qualified specialist Liz Bailey to find out more.
Maker's Marks
Asprey have registered many sponsor's marks over the course of their history, in most of the UK's main assay offices. Below are two examples of full silver hallmarks, from the Chester assay office. Maker's marks registered include 'A & Co Ltd, A&Co, ALTD & Co, A LDN, A PLC' in rectangular, quatrefoil, pentagonal, and barbell shaped surrounds.
Other examples include pieces that were assayed under a different sponsor's mark and retailed by Asprey together with their signature, as seen below.
Fitted Cases
Jewellery, silver and watches purchased at Asprey's Bond Street premesis frequently are accompanied with a fitted case. Examples to reach the secondary market still with their original cases are an assurance of the condition and remain appealing to potential bidders. Addresses on the fitted cases can vary including '166 Bond Street' and '180 Bond Street' in keeping with the company's history.
