Henry Massy, London

• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, decoratively pierced and engraved balance cock with grotesque mask at the neck, three-arm brass balance, fusee and chain, round baluster pillars, repeating on a bell to the inside case back • signed Hen Massy, London
• Dial: gold champlevé, Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute ring, signature cartouches, quartrefoil half-hour divisions, blued steel hands, the hour hand of tulip form • dial signed
• Case: gold inner decoratively pierced and engraved with scrolling foliage and flowers inhabited by birds, mask to the base, pendant with flat top engraved with a grotesque mask • gold outer decorated with symmetrically placed pierced roundels, square hinge, both cases with maker’s mark IB or TB with coronet above (John Banbury or Thomas Beseley)

 

Terrence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch, 1585-1970, 2009, pp. 146-147, pl. 76

Movement running at time of cataloguing. The repeating work operational although currently sounding a bit tinny and would benefit from some adjustment. Dial in good refreshed condition. Inner case with light scuffs and scratches but the - pierced decoration appears in good overall condition with some minor depressions to the band, original bow replaced later in the 18th century. Outer case with some indentations to the back.
"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."

The movement’s quarter repeating mechanism follows, in general terms, the system developed by Daniel Quare. The baluster pillars are carefully arranged to allow room for the
complex mechanism between the plates. Both cases are decoratively pierced for sound emission.

The outer case contains a delightful watch paper on which the entire Lord’s Prayer has been minutely inscribed.

Henry Massy (sometimes spelt Massey) was the son of the French protestant watchmaker Nicholas Massey. Henry was made a Brother in the Clockmakers’ Company in April 1692
(see Brian Loomes, The Early Clock Makers of Great Britain, p. 381). Britten records that Henry Massy was at Charles St., near St James’s Square in 1707.