Art Deco Asprey Bronze Classic Car Begging Scottie Dog Caesar Mascot Sculpture

Asprey London 1920s Bronze Scottish Terrier Car 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 fittings and documented Richard Edmonds Auctions provenance.
Highlights
• Asprey of London
• British, circa 1920s
• Antique motor car radiator mascot
• Begging Scottish Terrier or Scottie dog
• Solid cast bronze construction
• Historic silver-coloured plated finish
• Finely incised wiry coat detailing
• Upright begging pose with raised forepaws
• Original threaded mounting stud and nut retained
• Documented Richard Edmonds Auctions provenance
• Recorded in 2023 as “stamped A to rear of base”
• Reported “A” not presently clearly distinguishable
• Comparative Asprey Scottie mascots documented
• Approximately 12.5 cm high
• Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution included
Introduction
A rare and highly characterful British motor car radiator mascot by Asprey of London, dating to circa 1920s and depicting a Scottish Terrier seated upright in the engaging begging position.
Substantially cast in solid bronze, the Scottie balances upon its hindquarters with both forepaws raised before its chest. Pointed ears, an elongated muzzle and projecting tail establish the distinctive character of the breed.
Closely worked incised lines extend across the head, chest, body and limbs to recreate the Scottie's characteristic wiry coat.
The historic silver-coloured plated finish survives extensively across the bronze. Natural wear has revealed warmer metal tones beneath, while darker patination remains within the recessed modelling, producing an attractive surface developed through approximately a century of age and use.
The circular base retains its threaded mounting stud, nut and associated components, providing clear physical evidence of the mascot's original automotive function.
Catalogue Details
Maker/Retailer: Asprey of London
Origin: 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: Circular base with threaded fixing stud, nut and associated components
Height: Approximately 12.5 cm
Width: Approximately 5 cm
Depth: Approximately 5 cm
Weight: Just under 700 grams approximately
Catalogue Note
The unusual begging position gives this compact mascot considerable sculptural presence.
Both front paws are raised while the dog sits upright upon its hindquarters. The pointed ears frame the head, while the projecting muzzle and extended tail create a particularly distinctive silhouette when viewed in profile.
The surface treatment is especially effective. Numerous incised strokes change direction across the body to suggest the coarse coat of the Scottish Terrier.
Surviving silver-coloured plating contrasts with areas of exposed warm bronze, while darkened patination within the deeper modelling emphasises the texture of the coat.
Although originally created as a functional automobile accessory, the quality and personality of the model allow it to be appreciated equally as a decorative antique canine sculpture.
Asprey of London
Asprey has long been associated with British luxury goods and finely made objects for an international clientele.
The development of automobile culture during the early 20th century created a new market for luxury motoring accessories, with radiator mascots becoming a particularly visible means of personalising a vehicle.
Animal subjects were especially popular, transforming a functional fitting into a miniature sculptural object.
Comparative research has identified other Asprey Scottie motor mascots, including a cast-bronze begging Scottie example offered by Sworders in 2019 and a further period Scottie radiator mascot documented with an ASPREY stamp.
The Recorded A Mark
Richard Edmonds Auctions Limited offered this exact mascot in March 2023 and 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 base presently displays extensive historic rubbing, scratching, abrasion and losses to the plated finish.
Although numerous marks remain visible around its circumference, the reported “A” cannot presently be identified with sufficient certainty by us upon visual examination.
It is therefore recorded as a historically documented mark reported by Richard Edmonds Auctions rather than represented as clearly legible today.
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.
Acquired from the above sale.
Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.
Original Richard Edmonds Auctions documentation retained.
Dimensions
Height: 12.5 cm approximately
Width: 5 cm approximately
Depth: 5 cm approximately
Weight: Just under 700 grams approximately.
Condition Report
The mascot presents attractively overall with extensive authentic surface character consistent with its age and original automotive use.
There is historic rubbing, scratching, scuffing, oxidation and general surface wear throughout.
The silver-coloured plated finish has worn through in numerous areas, revealing warmer bronze beneath, particularly around the muzzle, paws and circumference of the circular base.
Darkened patination and oxidation remain within recessed areas and amongst the incised coat detailing.
The “A” stamp recorded by Richard Edmonds Auctions in 2023 is not presently clearly distinguishable amid the surface wear.
The threaded mounting stud, nut and associated components remain present and display age-related oxidation and wear.
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.