Asprey of London Rare 1920s Bronze Begging Scottie Dog Motor Car Radiator Mascot
Asprey of London Rare 1920s Bronze Begging Scottie Dog Motor Car Radiator Mascot
A rare 1920s British solid bronze motor car radiator mascot by Asprey of London, modelled as a begging Scottish Terrier with surviving period plated finish, original mounting components and documented Richard Edmonds Auctions provenance.
Highlights
• Asprey of London
• British, circa 1920s
• Antique motor car 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
• Richard Edmonds Auctions provenance
• Catalogued by Richard Edmonds in 2023 as “stamped A to rear of base”
• The reported “A” mark is not presently clearly distinguishable amid extensive historic surface wear
• Comparative Asprey begging Scottie motor mascots documented
• Height approximately 12.5 cm
• Base approximately 5 cm wide x 5 cm deep
• Weight just under 700 grams approximately
• Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution included
Introduction
A rare and highly characterful 1920s British motor car radiator mascot by Asprey of London, 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. Its erect ears, pronounced muzzle, compact body and projecting tail create the distinctive silhouette of the breed, while extensive incised modelling across the surface evokes the characteristic wiry coat.
The mascot retains substantial areas of its historic silver-coloured plated finish. Natural wear across the projecting surfaces has revealed warmer bronze tones beneath, contrasting attractively with darker patination retained within the recessed modelling.
Its original automotive purpose remains particularly evident 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 Limitedin 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
Base: Approximately 5 cm wide x 5 cm deep
Weight: Just under 700 grams approximately
Catalogue Note
The Scottie is represented sitting upright upon its hindquarters with both forelegs raised and bent before the chest in the familiar begging position.
Despite the mascot's relatively small scale, the modelling is unusually expressive. The erect pointed ears frame the head, the pronounced muzzle projects forwards and the tail extends behind the body, creating a strong silhouette from both frontal and profile viewpoints.
Particular attention has been given to the coat.
Closely spaced incised lines cover the head, chest, back, abdomen, legs and tail, changing direction in response to the contours of the animal. These linear passages suggest the coarse, wiry coat characteristic of the Scottish Terrier while simultaneously giving the bronze considerable surface texture.
The paws have been individually articulated and the raised forelegs introduce an animated, almost anthropomorphic quality.
The surviving finish is equally important to the appearance of the object. Areas of silver-coloured plating remain across much of the mascot, while approximately a century of wear has exposed warmer yellow-bronze tones on projecting areas including the muzzle, paws and circumference of the mounting base.
Darker oxidation and patination remain within the recessed modelling, creating a naturally varied historic surface.
The substantial threaded fitting beneath the circular base confirms the object's intended automotive function and distinguishes it from a purely decorative bronze dog sculpture.
Asprey of London
Asprey occupies an important position within the history of British luxury goods.
Established in the 18th century, the firm became internationally associated with finely made jewellery, silver, luxury accessories and objets de vertu for an affluent clientele.
The emergence of the motor car during the late 19th and early 20th centuries created an entirely new field for luxury accessories. As automobile ownership became increasingly associated with wealth, status and personal taste, motorists sought ways to individualise their vehicles.
Radiator mascots became one particularly visible form of personalisation.
Rather than serving merely as functional fittings, the finest examples developed into miniature sculptures encompassing animals, allegorical figures, sporting subjects and humorous designs.
The present Scottie belongs to this wider culture of luxury British automobilia and combines the established Asprey name with one of Britain's most recognisable canine breeds.
The Begging Scottie Motor Mascot
The Scottish Terrier was particularly suited to interpretation as an automobile mascot because of its immediately recognisable silhouette.
The breed's erect ears, elongated head, compact body and distinctive wiry coat could be translated effectively into small-scale sculpture while remaining readily identifiable from a distance.
The present example introduces further personality through the begging position.
Rather than standing conventionally on all four legs, the Scottie sits upright with its front paws raised, giving the mascot an engaging humorous quality that would have been particularly noticeable when mounted prominently on the front of a motor car.
The modelling is nevertheless sufficiently detailed to transcend its original automotive function, allowing the mascot to be appreciated today as a small piece of antique canine sculpture.
The Recorded “A” Mark
An important element of the object's documentary history concerns the mark recorded on its mounting base.
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 surface.
Although numerous incised and abraded marks can be observed around the circumference, the reported “A” stamp cannot presently be identified with sufficient certainty by us upon visual examination.
The mark is therefore recorded within this catalogue as a historically documented mark reported by Richard Edmonds Auctions rather than represented as a clearly legible mark today.
This distinction is deliberately maintained as part of our transparent approach to the catalogue record.
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 as Lot 245 in its 20th Century Design auction on 29 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.
Other examples attributed to Asprey and described as bronze begging Scottie automobile mascots have also appeared within the international decorative-arts market.
These documented examples provide useful comparative support for the Asprey identification, Scottish Terrier subject and inter-war dating of the present mascot.
No documentary evidence has presently been identified establishing how many examples of the design were originally produced. The mascot 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.
Early Motoring & Radiator Mascots
Decorative radiator mascots became an increasingly prominent feature of automobile culture during the opening decades of the 20th century.
They allowed motorists to personalise vehicles through miniature sculptures reflecting humour, sporting interests, allegorical themes or affection for particular animals.
Dogs proved especially suitable subjects because individual breeds could communicate personality and identity immediately.
One of the best-known early British canine mascots was associated with King Edward VII's Wire-haired Fox Terrier, Caesar. A circa 1905 Caesar mascot with royal association was later sold by Bonhams in Carmel, California, in 2009.
That historic object represents a different breed and design from the present Scottish Terrier and no connection with King Edward VII or Caesar is claimed for this mascot.
Its relevance lies instead in illustrating the established enthusiasm for canine automobile mascots during the formative period of British motoring.
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 approximately
Width of base: 5 cm approximately
Depth of base: 5 cm approximately
Weight:
Just under 700 grams approximately
Threaded mounting fitting and nut present beneath the base.
Condition Report
The mascot presents attractively overall for its age and retains extensive historic surface character associated with its original automotive function.
There is age and use-related rubbing, scratching, scuffing, oxidation and general surface wear throughout.
The historic silver-coloured plated finish has worn substantially in numerous areas, revealing warmer yellow-toned bronze beneath. This is particularly evident around projecting areas including the nose, forepaws, hind paws and circumference of the circular mounting base.
Darkened patination and oxidation remain within recessed areas of the modelling and the incised representation of the dog's coat.
The circular base displays particularly extensive rubbing, scratching, abrasions and losses to the plated finish.
The “A” stamp recorded by Richard Edmonds Auctions in its March 2023 catalogue is not presently clearly distinguishable amid this surface wear.
The threaded mounting stud, nut and associated fixing components remain present beneath the base and display corresponding age-related oxidation and wear.
No invasive metallurgical examination or scientific analysis of the bronze alloy or plated finish has been undertaken.
Please study all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the condition report.
Shipping
Worldwide shipping is available.
Owing to the historic construction and substantial weight of the mascot for its size, it will be professionally packaged using appropriate protective materials and dispatched fully insured.
International buyers are welcome. Please contact us for a destination-specific delivery quotation or to discuss any particular shipping requirements.
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.
Every artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. We are committed to offering collectors works of artistic and historical merit accompanied by transparent provenance research, detailed catalogue descriptions and professional, client-focused service.
Additional photographs and further information are available upon request.
