Rare Early 20th Century Asprey London Bronze Begging Scottie Dog Car Radiator Mascot

Details

Description

Rare 1920s Asprey London Bronze Begging Scottie Dog Car Radiator Mascot
A rare British 1920s solid bronze automobile radiator mascot … Read more Rare 1920s Asprey London Bronze Begging Scottie Dog Car Radiator Mascot
A rare British 1920s solid bronze automobile radiator mascot by Asprey of London, modelled as a begging Scottish Terrier with historic plated finish, original mounting components and documented auction provenance.

Highlights
• Asprey of London
• British, circa 1920s
• Antique automobile radiator mascot
• Modelled as a begging Scottish Terrier or Scottie dog
• Solid cast bronze construction
• Historic silver-coloured plated finish
• Finely modelled wiry coat and expressive canine features
• Upright begging pose with both forepaws raised
• Integral circular radiator mounting base
• Threaded fixing stud, nut and mounting components retained
• Documented Richard Edmonds Auctions provenance
• Catalogued in 2023 as “stamped A to rear of base”
• Reported “A” mark not presently clearly distinguishable amid historic surface wear
• Comparative Asprey begging Scottie motor mascots documented
• Height approximately 12.5 cm / 4.92 in
• Base approximately 5 cm / 1.97 in wide x 5 cm / 1.97 in deep
• Weight just under 700 grams approximately
• Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution included

Introduction
A rare and particularly characterful British motor car radiator mascot by Asprey of London, dating to circa 1920s and modelled as a Scottish Terrier seated upright in an engaging begging pose.
Cast in substantial solid bronze, the Scottie balances upon its hindquarters with both forepaws raised before its chest. The erect ears, pronounced muzzle, compact body and projecting tail establish the distinctive character of the breed, while extensive incised modelling evokes its wiry coat.
The mascot retains areas of its historic silver-coloured plated finish. Natural wear to the projecting surfaces has revealed warmer bronze tones beneath, creating an attractive contrast with the darker patination retained within the recessed modelling.
Its original automotive function remains clearly expressed through the integral circular mounting base and surviving threaded fixing stud, nut and associated mounting components beneath.
The mascot also benefits from documented auction provenance. It was offered by Richard Edmonds Auctions Limited in March 2023 as Lot 332 and catalogued as a rare 1920s Asprey of London solid bronze car mascot of a begging dog.

Catalogue Details
Maker/Retailer: Asprey of London
Country: England
Date: Circa 1920s
Object: Motor car radiator mascot
Subject: Begging Scottish Terrier / Scottie dog
Material: Solid cast bronze
Finish: Historic silver-coloured plated finish
Mounting: Integral circular base with threaded fixing stud, nut and associated mounting components
Recorded mark: Richard Edmonds Auctions catalogued the mascot in 2023 as “stamped A to rear of base”
Present status of mark: The reported “A” is not presently clearly distinguishable amid extensive historic surface wear
Height: Approximately 12.5 cm / 4.92 in
Width: Approximately 5 cm / 1.97 in
Depth: Approximately 5 cm / 1.97 in
Weight: Just under 700 grams approximately

Catalogue Note
The Scottie is represented sitting upright upon its hindquarters with both forelegs raised and bent before its chest in the familiar begging position.
Despite its compact scale, the modelling has considerable sculptural presence. The pointed ears frame the head, the pronounced muzzle projects forwards and the tail extends behind the body, producing an immediately recognisable silhouette when viewed from different angles.
Particular attention has been given to the characteristic coat.
Closely spaced incised lines travel across the head, chest, back, abdomen, legs and tail, changing direction with the contours of the animal to suggest the coarse, wiry texture associated with the Scottish Terrier.
The individual paws are carefully articulated, while the unusual upright pose introduces a charming anthropomorphic quality.
The historic surface contributes significantly to the mascot's appearance. Areas of silver-coloured plating survive across the bronze, while wear has revealed warmer metal tones on projecting areas including the muzzle, paws and circumference of the base.
Darker oxidation and patination remain within the recessed modelling, producing an appealing naturally aged surface.
The substantial threaded fitting beneath the circular base demonstrates the object's original function as an automobile radiator mascot rather than a purely decorative bronze dog sculpture.

Asprey of London
Asprey occupies an important position within the history of British luxury goods and became internationally associated with jewellery, silver, luxury accessories and finely made objects for an affluent clientele.
The development of motoring during the early 20th century created a new field for luxury accessories. As automobiles became increasingly associated with status and personal taste, owners sought distinctive objects with which to individualise their vehicles.
Radiator mascots became particularly visible expressions of this trend.
Animal subjects proved especially popular, transforming an otherwise functional element of the automobile into a miniature piece of sculpture.
The present Scottie belongs to this tradition of luxury British automobilia and combines the Asprey name with one of Britain's most recognisable canine breeds.

The Begging Scottie Motor Mascot
The Scottish Terrier lends itself particularly well to small-scale sculptural interpretation.
Its upright pointed ears, elongated head, compact body and distinctive wiry coat create a silhouette that remains immediately recognisable even at relatively small scale.
Here, the modeller has introduced additional personality by representing the dog sitting upright with both front paws raised.
The resulting begging gesture is humorous and engaging while retaining the essential characteristics of the breed.
Although conceived as a functional motor-car accessory, the quality and character of the modelling allow the mascot to be appreciated independently as a small piece of antique canine sculpture.

The Recorded “A” Mark
When Richard Edmonds Auctions Limited offered this exact mascot in March 2023, the auction house catalogued it as:
“A rare 1920s Asprey of London solid bronze car mascot of a begging dog, stamped A to rear of base, approx. 4 1/2" tall.”
The circular base presently displays extensive historic rubbing, scratching, abrasion and losses to the plated finish.
Although numerous incised and abraded marks remain visible around the circumference, the reported “A” stamp cannot presently be identified with sufficient certainty by us upon visual examination.
The mark is therefore recorded as a historically documented mark reported by Richard Edmonds Auctions rather than represented as a clearly legible mark today.
Comparable Asprey Mascots
Comparative research has identified other documented Asprey motor car mascots depicting
Scottie dogs.
Particularly relevant is an Asprey cast-bronze car mascot modelled as a begging Scottie dog offered by Sworders in its 20th Century Design auction in January 2019.
A further Scottie radiator mascot has been documented on the specialist market as a circa 1920/30 chromed-bronze example bearing an ASPREY stamp.
These comparative examples provide useful support for the Asprey identification, Scottish Terrier subject and inter-war dating of the present mascot.
No documentary evidence has presently been identified establishing the original number produced. It is therefore described as rare on the basis of the limited number of documented comparative examples located during research rather than as a documented limited edition.

Provenance
Richard Edmonds Auctions Limited, Chippenham, Wiltshire, 5 March 2023, Lot 332, catalogued as A rare 1920s Asprey of London solid bronze car mascot of a begging dog, stamped A to rear of base, approx. 4 1/2" tall.
Acquired from the above sale.
Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.
Original Richard Edmonds Auctions documentation retained.

Dimensions
Overall:
Height: 12.5 cm / 4.92 in approximately
Width: 5 cm / 1.97 in approximately
Depth: 5 cm / 1.97 in approximately
Weight:
Just under 700 grams approximately.
Threaded mounting fitting and nut present beneath the base.


Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution
The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.

Attribution and Research
The historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market.
These observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®
Specialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art.
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