Whitebook: Asprey

The B ritish Standard

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Asprey has blossomed over generations into one of the most recognised British luxury goods houses – the name is now synonymous with refinement and exclusivity. The current 167 New Bond Street flagship location houses “articles of exclusive design and high quality, whether for personal adornment or personal accompaniment and to endow with richness and beauty the table and homes of people of refinement and discernment” were valiantly advertised. Inspired by tradition, Asprey jewellery is fashioned from the most exacting craftsmanship using only the finest materials, a promised trademark showcasing gems befitting royalty.

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Designed by distinguished architect Sir Robert Taylor, 167 New Bond Street was where William’s son Charles set up shop to spread the word of his glittering showpieces. In the heart of what was an internationally renowned hub of jewellers, milliners, drapers, bookshops, and galleries, a thriving cultural and fashionable destination in West London, Asprey established its official reputation as the “premier maker of luxury goods” by winning a gold medal for dressing cases, an

D azzling Acclaim

early specialty, at the International Exhibition of 1862. As if one honour was not enough, Asprey

was granted a Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria that same year. Beyond pure ambition, Asprey emanated the daring spirit of an entrepreneur, willing to combine traditional craft with innovative technologies in producing stunning pieces of jewellery. Soon after 167 Bond Street rightfully earned its reputation as a hidden treasure trove, Asprey gained widespread recognition as one of the world’s most exquisite showcases of deluxe regalia.

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Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 was one of the most important celebrations in the British royal heritage, and it was none other than Asprey as the house commissioned to be a part of the landmark occasion.

Together with Chris Levine, Asprey and the decorated light artist unveiled The Diamond Queen, a new work based on his 2004 seminal portrait Equanimity. Asprey craftsmen set 1,000 white diamonds in platinum, then overlaid this re-creation of the diamond diadem worn during the Queen’s 1953 coronation onto an original three-dimensional image of Her Majesty to create a regal and luminescent installation. Asprey has long been intrinsically linked to the Royal Family ever since receiving its first Royal Warrant – a second granted

by King Edward VII in 1889, extraordinarily pleased with an Asprey monogram designed for him. This high British honour continued throughout the reigns of

The image is used for informational purposes only and not directly associated with Asprey and/or its products.

King George V, Prince Edward, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II, and Prince Charles

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in the ensuing century. Asprey’s clientele has always reflected the highest order; in the 1930s, the luxury house was adorning the farthest corners of the British empire with its classic masterpieces. The Sultan of Lahore and the Maharajah of Patiala placed one of the era’s most outstanding orders, gifting each of his wives with an extravagant teak travelling trunks lined with blue velvet and filled with solid silver bathing utensils.

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Today, 167 New Bond Street remains as iconic as the peerless brand it has housed for close to 170 years. In 2004, celebrated architect Lord Norman Foster and B r i t i s h interior designer David Mlinaric heralded Asprey’s entry into the new millennium by incorporating modern structural design elements, such as a glass roof atrium and a grand staircase, amid the building’s unique period features and timeless elegance. One thing hasn’t changed: Asprey’s workshops, the crux of what sets it apart from others in the industry, remain above the atelier. Ascend to the top floors and you will find silversmiths, jewellers, leather-workers, engravers, and watchmakers practicing

A Matchless Heritage

their craft in traditions that date back several centuries. At one point, these very studios housed one of the finest craftsmen of his time, Ernest Betjeman – the master’s

commitment to craftsmanship symbolises Asprey’s dedication to the same philosophy, alongside brilliant innovation. From the Victorian age and Edwardian era to Art Deco splendour and two World Wars, Asprey has always been, and will forever remain, the British standard in perfect presentations of finery.

Text = Nicole Chan

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