John Arnold, London

• gilt full plate movement, ruby cylinder escapement, decoratively pierced and engraved masked balance cock, diamond endstone, fusee and chain, round baluster pillars • white enamel dial, Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute track, gold hands • gilt-metal dust cap •gold case decorated with champlevé enamel to front and rear bezels, case back centre with polychrome enamel painted scene of a landscape with Shepherdess, framed by decorative champlevé surround and outer border of translucent red enamel over engine turning, case back hinged to reveal winding square, case hallmarked 1841, maker's mark ITP for John Terrill Pain • dust cap and movement signed Jn Arnold, London, 300

Movement not running at the time of cataloguing. Hairline cracks through dial from X to II. General loss of enamel throughout on front and rear bezels. Case back with damage to red translucent enamel at 3 o'clock, portrait miniature with scratches.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

The enamel panel is attributed to William Hopkins Craft (1731-1811) based on an engraving by John Sherwin (1751-1790) after a painting by Angelica Kaufman, (1741-1807)

For another similar enamel that is signed and dated 1782 by Craft, with a movement signed Windmills, see Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, p. 278, pl. 170.

The scene on the panel is inspired by Jersualem Delivered written by Italian poet, Toquato Tasso (1544-1595).  Erminia, daughter of the Saracen King of Antioch is depicted writing the name of the Christian knight, with whom she is in love, ‘Tancred’ on a tree, while holding a staff in her other hand.  Craft’s miniatures are sometimes signed on their reverse, as in the example with the movement by Windmills referred to above.  The scene has been identified by Ian White in note 58 of his article he cites the following reference, Wendy Wassying Roworth (ed.), “Angelica Kauffman A Continental Artist in Georgian England”, 1992.

For a two part article by Ian White on the work of William Hopkins Craft, see Antiquarian Horology June and September 2013.

The present lot by Arnold is not recorded by Hans Staeger, in his book on Arnold.  It has a ruby cylinder escapement which Arnold probably introduced.  This escapement was employed  in the late 18th century and early 19th century by some of the best London makers and more widely on the Continent. 

Arnold is recorded as becoming free of the Clockmakers' company in 1783.

Born in Cornwall, John Arnold (1736-1799) represents one of the most famous English makers.  He was apprenticed to his father and then traveled abroad where he learned to speak German.  He came to London in 1762 and shortly thereafter presented a repeating watch mounted on a ring to King George III.  This, and his ability to speak German, enabled him to establish himself at court.  After about 1768, he began experiments to make an accurate timekeeper for use at sea.  He realized that a detached escapement would be highly desirable and this led him to invent a detent escapement, circa 1781, which bears his name.  To overcome isochronal variation, he invented the helical balance spring.  In 1787 he took his son, John Roger Arnold, into partnership, changing the business name to "Arnold & Son", which was retained until his death.