English Asprey Victorian Sterling Gilt Travelling Inkwell 1880

Description

ENGLISH STERLING SILVER GILT TRAVELLING INKWELL
MADE BY CHARLES ASPREY & CHARLES ASPREY Jr. 1880
Please to offer an outstanding example of English silver in the form of a
travelling
inkwell.
This
gorgeous
piece is made by the founders elder son (& his son) of the
world
famous
Asprey of Bond St.  (see below)  Of an elongated oval design, with sterling top, and working tension spring hinge lid and push button release, atop a heavy cut
crystal
base.
A truly stunning piece, with excellent attention to detail.  The
entire s
terling top & lid is
completely
gilded,
both in the interior, and on the exterior.  The top displays a still crisp & tight pattern of floral and vine engraving that
encircles
the top, & bordered to the
interior
field by
connecting
branches.
In the center are the original owners
initials
(CF)  Stamped to the side makers mark of C.A over C.A for Charles Asprey & Charles Asprey Jr. They made pieces
together f
or 9 years...this was made in the first year of their
partnership.  Punched with the lion passant for assayed English silver, City code of a leopard head for London, and a date letter of a capital "E" within a shield, for 1880, and the regent's head of Queen Victoria.
Another very interesting feature of this inkwell, is the spring loaded top that secures and is
released
by a push button tab in the center of the gilt collar of the well.  Spring is still tight, and pops, when the button is
pushed!
Normally, all Georgian and Victorian traveling inkwells had a screw spring handle, that twisted to lock, and then fold flat for travel.
The interior crystal well, looks to have no ink staining, thus was very rarely used.  The interior of the top has a leather seal held in place by an oval gilt plate, stamped with the makers mark C.A over C.A within a square. The company name of Asprey, 166 Bond Street, and with a crown.  The crown is assigned to companies that supply the royal household, and are/or under warrant to use the crown as a supplier to the regent (Queen Victoria)
The overall condition is excellent, with very little gilding loss, no visible cracks or chips in the crystal. The oval edge of the sterling has over the past 140 years collected a few dints to the outer edge
Measures 3 1/2 inches long. 2 1/2 inches wide, and 1 1/2 inches tall.
Stands
firm & level.
Asprey was founded in 1781 as a silk printing
business
by William Asprey, and it soon became a luxury emporium.  In 1841 Asprey's
eldest
son Charles was taken into
partnership. Asprey moved to 167 Bond St. in 1847...and over the next 40 years acquired leather and case making companies to produce some the finest hand made items in the world. Known for their unique one of a kind items, as well everyday items such as cuff links and jewelry.  Asprey is still one of the top luxury purveyors to this day, and is still located at 167 Bond St!
A truly splendid inkwell...worthy of a special owner to be enjoyed and treasured.
This piece comes with Free shipping by USPS Priority mail with tracking/delivery confirmation