Asprey: Iconic British Craftsmanship

Asprey have recently opened an impressive flagship store at 36 Bruton Street, Mayfair. However, the firm’s history stretches back to 1781, which certainly solidifies their position in the upper echelons of British craft.

As the modern world gathers pace in terms of change, the rostrum of British heritage brands depletes. Faced with everything you can think of since its inception – Asprey is still widely considered one of the world’s pre-eminent luxury goods brands. Not bad going for a brand that was founded in 1781 by William Asprey.

Queen Victoria awarded Asprey their first Royal Warrant in 1862. They once held the Royal Warrant for every British monarch since Queen Victoria, though it now only holds the Royal Warrant for the Prince of Wales. Other customers include European royalty, Indian maharajahs and even one of the Beatles.

The 1920s and 1930s were a golden age for Asprey. It embraced the new style, now known as ‘Art Deco’ but then called ‘moderne’ or ‘Jazz modern’, introduced by the Paris Exposition de Arts Décoratifs in 1925. Asprey’s catalogues of this era are beautiful anthologies of luxury goods and are still considered iconic designs which you still see in their collections today.

    Contributor

    Freddie Anderson

    Published

    November 2020

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