57 : Asprey Sterling Silver Flatware Service For Twelve Plus Serving Pieces (Total Of 129 Pieces)

Very fine hand made sterling silver flatware set by Asprey & Co., one of the finest British silversmiths, purveyors to the crown. The flatware set, complete service for 12 (minus one teaspoon), in a beautifully hand-forged bright-cut pattern. The bright-cut pattern is a technique whereby facets are cut out of the surface of the silver to leave a shiny appearance.

All the pieces are marked with the British sterling silver and Asprey & Co. hallmarks; the lion passant mark, the leopard face, the date letter and A & Co mark for Asprey & Co.. The knife blades are also marked Asprey Bond Street, as they are stainless.

Included in this service:

(12) dinner forks, 8 1/4"
(12) salad forks, 7"
(12) dessert forks, 6 3/8"
(11) teaspoons, 5 3/4"
(12) tablespoons, 6 3/4"
(12) cream soup spoons, 6 3/4"
(12) seafood forks, 5"
(12) dinner knives, 9 3/4"
(12) lunch knives, 8 3/4"
(12) butter knives, 6 1/2"
(2) serving spoons, 10 1/2"
(1) cheese knife, 7 3/4"
(1) carving set, 10 1/2" and knife, 13"
(1) cake server, 9 3/4"
(1) meat fork, 9 3/4"
(1) fork server, 10"
(3) soup ladles, 6", 6 3/4", 7 1/4” (one with a different pattern)

252.29 total ozt

Condition: some light scratches from normal wear.

Asprey heritage:

Asprey, founded in 1781 by William Asprey, was originally based in Mitcham, Surrey until the company moved into its current New Bond Street premises. From its central London location, Asprey advertised ‘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. An early speciality was dressing cases, for which Queen Victoria awarded Asprey a Royal Warrant for in 1862. In the same year Asprey was also awarded a Gold Medal for its dressing cases at the International Exhibition.

During the Second World War, Asprey made the decision to keep their workshops open at Nettleford House on Euston Road, this meant they kept their body of craftsmen who would have otherwise been sent off to war; it also allowed the Silversmiths to make parts for the Admiralty and other government departments.
Asprey continued to grow after the war, the workshops were moved to above the New Bond Street store, as a result the bespoke business flourished. Asprey began to receive commissions from around the world, including a chess set for Ringo Starr and a picnic trailer which included a dining table for 16.