John Snow, Salisbury

• Movement: gilded oval full plate with engraved border, verge escapement, decoratively pierced and engraved pinned-on balance cock and foot, flat balance, ratchet and click set-up, gut line fusee, baluster pillars, signed Jo Snow me fecit
• Dial: gilded, applied narrow silver chapter ring with Roman numerals and trefoil half-hour divisions, the centre with engraved townscape, broad river and two sailing vessels, outer border engraved with scrolling foliage, flowers and fruit, cherub head above 12 o'clock, blued steel double ended hand with classical convex terminal to the head
• Case: plain silver covers, the back with shuttered winding aperture, silver band engraved with two rabbits and strawberries, strawberry flowers and foliage against a hatched ground, the inside cover with a border of two palm stems, decoratively engraved gilded bezels, gilded fixed pendant and terminal, the flat pendant engraved and shaped

With a brass crank key

Movement clean and in running order at time of cataloguing. Dial in good refreshed condition. Case covers with some rubbing, the bezels have some loss to their definition, however, the engraved decoration to the silver band remains clear with light rubbing. Front cover closes securely.
"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."

John Snow was established for some years in Salisbury and made both clocks and watches. John’s brother Nicholas was also a clockmaker and lived in Salisbury from 1629 until his death in 1644.  As with John, lantern clocks signed by Nicholas Snow are also known.  John died in 1661 and both he and his brother Nicholas are buried at the church of St. Thomas at Salisbury.

Another watch signed John Snow me fecit is illustrated in The Camerer Cuss book of Antique Watches, p. 63 and a further signed John Snow, Sarum (Salisbury) is recorded.