Description

Manufactured by Asprey of London

From our Boxes collection, we are delighted to offer this Country House Oak Letter Box by Asprey of London. The Letter Box is beautifully suited to a country house crafted from Oak with carved dome top, cylindrical body and stepped plinth base imitating the traditional full sized British red post boxes. The Letter Box is complete with brass hinged hatch having painted ‘letters’ panel. Below the hatch is a lockable compartment for accessing the letters within. To the front, a small window displays the collection time label with the timetable below. Beneath the hatch is a small diamond shaped plaque mounted on a pull out drawer showing the Registered Kite mark RD which can be translated to date the post box to the Victorian period and the second half of the 19th century 1870.

The Post Box comes complete with working lock and key.

Measurements (inches) 14 High x 7.7

Notes This model of post box was originally designed by the English artist, Richard Redgrave in 1856. This design was altered in 1859 to become the first national standard pillar post box. Originally painted green and then altered in the late 19th century to red which was then adopted as the standard colour for all British post boxes. Due to its small size, this particular post box it is likely to have been commissioned for a large British country house. It would have been emptied every day by a servant and taken to the post office.

Asprey was established in 1781 by William Asprey, and was originally set up to be a silk printing business, but soon became a luxury emporium. Located in central London, 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.’ As the business grew the company acquired several manufacturing facilities and hired silversmiths, goldsmiths, jewelers and watchmakers including Ernest Betjeman. In 1859 Asprey bought Edwards, a Royal Warrant holder and award winning dressing case maker. In 1862 Asprey was granted its first Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria and the company enjoyed a long relationship with various members of the British Royal Family.

Oak has many global variations. European Oak, also known as English or French Oak, is found in Europe. It is a well known and very popular wood due to its different types and strength yielding many uses. It can have a very simple clean look or a highly figured finish varying from tree to tree. European Oak can be Golden-yellow to light-brown in colour. Brown Oak is from the United Kingdom and its name is derived from its red-brown colour which is resulted from an attack by “beef-steak” fungus. This usually gives the wood an even colour, however, sometimes the wood can be streaked with a light brown giving it the name Tiger Oak.

With every purchase from Mark Goodger Antiques, you will receive our latest catalogue, a Certificate of Authenticity, detailed care instructions for your chosen piece and an independent invoice (for insurance purposes) will be enclosed. As well as being protected by a no-hassle, money-back policy, your piece will be entirely insured during the shipping process to ensure the safety of your item.

Additional information