Lot 32
  • 32

Andrew Dickie, Edinburgh

Estimate
60,000 - 90,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • A RARE GOLD HALF QUARTER REPEATING CYLINDER WATCH THE MAGNIFICENT ASSOCIATED OUTER CASE WITH POLYCHROME ENAMEL SCENE ATTRIBUTED TO GEORGE MICHAEL MOSER1756, NO. 2045
  • GOLD, ENAMEL
  • diameter of outer case 50 mm, inner case 42 mm
Movement: gilded full plate, cylinder escapement, decoratively pierced and engraved masked balance cock, diamond endstone, fusee and chain, cylindrical pillars, two polished steel hammers repeating on a bell to the inside back, gilt metal dust cap, movement and dust cap signed and numbered Andw. Dickie, Edinburgh, 2045
• 
Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute ring, blued steel beetle and poker hands
• Cases: gold inner, the back with winding aperture, an engraved lily flower to the centre, the band pierced for sound emission and engraved with scrolling foliage, a grotesque mask to the base, a pastoral scene beneath the pendant, hallmarked 1756 • the associated gold outer case with polychrome enamel painted scene depicting Alexander the Great Crowning Roxana, surrounded by an embossed cartouche, the band and bezel pierced for sound emission and engraved with scrolling foliage, a snake wound around the push piece

Provenance

Atkinson Collection, Christie's London,  27 October 1953, lot 174
Henry Nyburg Collection, Sotheby & Co. London, 22 May 1967, lot 92
Stanley Burton Collection

Literature

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, pp. 210-211, pl. 121
Stanley Burton, The Watch Collection of Stanley H. Burton, 1981, pp. 130-131  & 210-211

Condition

Movement not running or repeating at time of cataloguing but appears to be complete. The watch is currently fully wound. Dial with a couple of feint hairlines running from the centre, small chip with repair to the opening catch at 6 o'clock. Outer case associated and pulse piece on the incorrect signed. Enamel scene to case back in wonderful condition. The chased and engraved decoration also in excellent condition with crisp detailing.
"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

This rare watch has spent many years in a variety of important horological collections, including those of Atkinson, Nyburg and Burton. Although associated, the magnificent outer case is in wonderful condition and, while the pulse piece is located on the opposite side of the bezel, otherwise fits seamlessly to, and dates contemporeaneously with the inner case. Whilst unsigned, the outer case features a number of stylistic similarities to the work of G. M. Moser. The enamel scene is one of two versions that Moser employed and its composition is very similar to a repoussé signed by Moser, which was sold at Sotheby’s London, 4th June 1992, lot 34. That watch, with movement signed by Ellicott, is also illustrated in Richard Edgcumbe’s book, The Art of the Gold Chaser, fig. 123. Stylistically, the painting can also be attributed to Moser and it is interesting to note the snake winds around the push-piece, a feature that Moser was often fond of incorporating. The enamel scene depicts the Crowning of Roxana. Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.) married Roxana, the daughter of a chieftain of Sogdiana, a conquered region of Asia. In the scene, Alexander is shown in a cloak and helmet, holding the crown above a seated Roxana. To the right in the background, is the figure of Hymenaeus, the god of marriage, who holds a torch and a nuptial crown.  

George Michael Moser, born in January 1706 in Switzerland, was one of the most prominent chasers and enamellers of his day. He worked for his father, also a chaser, until he moved to London in 1726, where he worked for a coppersmith and then a cabinet maker.  His skill was such that he became drawing-master to King George III and designed the great seal for him. Throughout his career, Moser worked mainly with Thomas Mudge, George Graham, William Webster, and John Ellicott. He specialized in figural renderings and often used classical sources for his scenes. He was widely known and respected in the artistic field, was one of the original founders of the Royal Academy along with Sir Joshua Reynolds, and was elected Keeper of the Academy by King George III in 1768. Moser died in January of 1783, and was honoured by Sir Joshua Reynolds in his obituary as “the father of the present race of artists” see, Edgcumbe, The Art of the Gold Chaser, pp. 85-90.

The movement, signed by Andrew Dickie, is of high quality.  Andrew Dickie of Edinburgh did not generally number his movements, however, Andrew Dickie of London (who may have been the former’s son) did and the number, 2045, fits with the latter’s known sequence; although of course this may be coincidence, it is possible that the watch was supplied by Dickie of London.