JOSEPHUS QUASH, LONDON | A MAGNIFICENT OVER-SIZED GILT-METAL ASTRONOMICAL WATCH WITH ROCK CRYSTAL SCALLOP-FORM CASECIRCA 1665

Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, decoratively pierced and floral engraved silver screwed-on balance cock, plain flat steel balance, worm and wheel set-up, fusee and gut line, unusual silver fluted baluster pillars, signed Josephus Quash, Londini • Dial:gilded with stippled ground, upper dial with central revolving disc indicating the date via a blued steel bug, turned blued steel hand indicating month with corresponding signs of the Zodiac and dates in each month upon which the signs of the Zodiac commence and end according to the Julian calendar, lower dial with Roman numerals and quarter hour divisions, turned blued steel fluorite hand, fan-form aperture indicating days of the week with corresponding allegorical figures, three apertures to the right for moon-phases with time of moon rise below and moon age above • Case: rock crystal scallop-form with radiating facets, engraved gilt-metal mounts, fluorite pendant, substantial turned terminal to base

Dial: The silver chapter ring has had some repair in the past and is slightly warped and with scuffs and scratches to the surface, there is a blank hole to the left of the 6 o'clock position. Scuffs and light scratches to the date ring, re-gilding to the the main surface in attractive condition. Rock crystal with some light scratches but generally in good condition, some rubbing to the gilding of the terminal. Case: rock crystal scallop-form with radiating facets, engraved gilt-metal mounts, fluorite pendant, substantial turned terminal to base Movement: Running at time of cataloguing and in clean condition.
"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."

With a large and impressive rock crystal case, this watch also has a complex and skilfully arranged astronomical dial. The uppermost dial consists of a central revolving disc with four concentric rings and a fixed fifth outer ring. The inner two rings indicate the dates in each month on which the signs of the Zodiac commence and end according to the Julian calendar, with the signs on the ring next to those dates. Both are read, together with the months shown in the third ring, against the central hand. The date is indicated via a bug mounted to the edge of the month disc. To the lower dial, a single hand indicates the hours on the Roman numeral chapter ring. The fan form aperture to the left shows the days of the week with the corresponding allegorical figure, whilst all three apertures to the right relate to the moon - the circular aperture being the moon-phases, with windows directly above and below for moon age and time of moon rise.   Astronomical dials of near identical design and layout to the present piece may be found on watches signed by other eminent 17^th Century makers including Benjamin Hill – an example by the latter was formerly in the collection of George Daniels (see: Sotheby’s: The George Daniels Horological Collection, 6 November 2012, lot 43 & The English Watch Part IV, 6 July 2017, lot 3).

Britten notes that Joseph Quash was born in circa 1623 and apprenticed to George Smith through Oswald Durrant on 11 October, 1637. He was made Free of the Clockmakers’ Company on 4 May, 1646. In his book The Early Clockmakers of Great Britain (NAG Press 1981, p. 452), Brian Loomes notes that Quash bound several apprentices for other masters including Ahasuerus Fromanteel, David Bouquet and Robert Grinkin. Quash was working in London’s Blackfriars in 1662 and served as the Steward of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1674 [see op. cit.].