- 38
Windmills, London
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- A VERGE WATCH IN LATER GOLD CASES WITH FINE POLYCHROME ENAMEL PAINTED SCENE BY WILLIAM HOPKINS CRAFT MOVEMENT CIRCA 1735, NO. 9327, ENAMEL SCENE DATED 1782
- GOLD AND ENAMEL
- diameter of outer case 50 mm, inner case 42 mm
• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, decoratively pierced balance cock engraved with foliage, urn to the centre and mask at the neck, fusee and chain, baluster pillars, signed and numbered Windmills, London, no. 9327
• Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute ring, gold arrow-head hands
• Cases: later plain gold inner, the back with winding aperture, numbered 9327 • later gold outer with polychrome enamel painted central plaque depicting Erminia writing the name 'Tancred' on a tree, signed and dated to the reverse W: Craft fecit, 1782, the scene with white enamel frame simulating pearls and surrounded by blue guilloché enamel frame, both bezels set with purple guilloché enamel rosettes centre with gold flowers all against a white ground
• Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute ring, gold arrow-head hands
• Cases: later plain gold inner, the back with winding aperture, numbered 9327 • later gold outer with polychrome enamel painted central plaque depicting Erminia writing the name 'Tancred' on a tree, signed and dated to the reverse W: Craft fecit, 1782, the scene with white enamel frame simulating pearls and surrounded by blue guilloché enamel frame, both bezels set with purple guilloché enamel rosettes centre with gold flowers all against a white ground
Literature
Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 278, pl. 170
Ian White, Clocks and Watches with enamels by William Hopkins Craft, Part 2, Antiquarian Horology, No. 3, Vol. 34, September 2013
Ian White, Clocks and Watches with enamels by William Hopkins Craft, Part 2, Antiquarian Horology, No. 3, Vol. 34, September 2013
Condition
Movement clean and in running order at time of cataloguing. Dial with hairline cracks and some chipping. Bezels and blue guilloche enamel with extensive repairs and restoration. Central plaque to case back in good condition. Inner case with small indentations, repairs visible to pendant to inside of case, depression to the band.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
The enamel plaque to the outer case back is signed by Wiliam Hopkins Craft (1731-1810). Craft was a highly accomplished enameller who used antique, classical and contemporary sources for his work. 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. The sheep in the foreground belong to an old shepherd who extolled to her the joys of his secluded peaceful existence, in contrast to the war raging not far away. This watch and its enamel scene are discussed by Ian White in his article for Antiquarian Horology (No. 3, Vol. 34), “Clocks and Watches with enamels by William Hopkins Craft”, in the article, White notes that “the composition is based on a 1781 engraving by John Keyse Sherwin after a painting by Angelica Kauffman” [op. cit. p.363].
For a detailed two part article by Ian White on the work of William Hopkins Craft with several examples of clocks and watches, see Antiquarian Horology June and September 2013.