Boîte en cristal de roche à montures en or 18 carats et émail, Algernon Asprey Ltd., Sheffield, 1975

de forme ovale, le couvercle surmonté d'une fleur émaillée de rose et de feuilles sur laquelle est posé un papillon en or aux ailes repercées, la monture à cage imitant des cordes, le dessous gravé 'Designed & enamelled by Philip Barnes, made by Ron Edwards for Algernon Asprey / Algernon Asprey Bruton Street London' , poinçon de maître, poinçons de contröle et lettre-date de Sheffield

oval, the lid applied with a pink enamel flower and green leaves on which rests a gold butterfly with pierced wings, twisted rope cagework mounts, the base rim engraved 'Designed & enamelled by Philip Barnes, made by Ron Edwards for Algernon Asprey / Algernon Asprey Bruton Street London', maker's mark, Sheffield gold standard marks and date letter



 

some losses to enamel leaves, some chips to inside lid by the hinge.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Algernon Asprey était la sixième génération de cette célèbre famille anglaise. Son père l'encouragea à développer son talent artistique, et après avoir fait des études d'art, il rejoignit la firme familiale comme artiste et designer en 1933. Sa réputation lui permit de s'installer à son compte en 1971, sous le nom Alergnon Asprey Ltd of 27 Bruton Street. Son but était de rétablir l'artisanat du XVIIIe siècle et non la fabrication à la chaîne développée à la fin du XIXe siècle.
Plus de 100 artisans à travers l'Angleterre avaient ainsi rejoint Algernon, en sus de sa propre équipe à Londres. Designer, Algernon fut également chargé de décorer les appartements royaux du Moyen Orient, des sols en marbre aux poignées de porte et aux girandoles. Algernon Asprey attachait beaucoup d'importance aux beaux objets, affirmant qu' 'offrir des beaux cadeaux est un aspect important d'une société civilisée', Boca Raton News, February 9, 1978. L'atelier cesssa malheureusement à sa mort.

Algernon Asprey was the sixth generations of the family whose name has become internationally known for fine design and craftsmanship. His father encouraged him to develop his artistic talent and after leaving Charterhouse he spent four years at the Polytechnic School of Art on Regent Street. He joined the family firm as an artist and designer in 1933 and acquired such a reputation as an outstanding designer and goldsmith that he was able to leave the family business in 1971 to set up his own firm, Alergnon Asprey Ltd of 27 Bruton Street. His aim was to 're-establish crafstmanship as it existed in the 18th century. (...) During the 1880s large workshops were built and a specialist crafstman would spend all day fashioning spoon bowls, for instance, which would be finished by another person, rather than one man creating the entire item from start to finish. This assembly-line piecework caused the disintegration of the crafts in their pureste sense.'
Asprey worked with well over 100 crafstmen in small workshop throughout the country, as well as his own nucleus of crafstmen in London. Algernon Asprey also designed royal apartments in the Middle East, from the plasterwork to the marble floors, from the door knobs to the wall brackets. 'The giving of beautiful gifts is an important aspect of a civilized society'. in Boca Raton News, February 9, 1978. The firm stopped when Algernon Asprey died.