- 5
John Smeaton, York
Estimate
25,000 - 30,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- A FINE AND VERY RARE GILT-METAL AND ROCK CRYSTAL WATCHCIRCA 1640
- gold, rock crystal
- length including pendant 54mm x 31mm
• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, decoratively pierced and engraved screwed-on balance cock and foot, flat steel balance, worm and wheel set-up, fusee and gut line, Egyptian pillars • movement signed John Smeaton in Yorke
• Dial: gilded, applied narrow silver chapter ring with Roman numerals and half hour divisions between, engraved centre with lakeside scene, winged figure above, surrounded by scrolling foliage, two squirrels either side of the catch and the foreshortened front and back of a rabbit above 10 and 2 o’clock, blued steel hand
• Case: engraved gilt-metal bezels, multi-faceted rock crystal covers, pendant with acanthus leaf decoration and long terminal
• Dial: gilded, applied narrow silver chapter ring with Roman numerals and half hour divisions between, engraved centre with lakeside scene, winged figure above, surrounded by scrolling foliage, two squirrels either side of the catch and the foreshortened front and back of a rabbit above 10 and 2 o’clock, blued steel hand
• Case: engraved gilt-metal bezels, multi-faceted rock crystal covers, pendant with acanthus leaf decoration and long terminal
Provenance
Antiquorum Geneva, The Sandberg Watch Collection, 31st March - 1st April 2001, lot 245
Literature
Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 54 pl. 18
Condition
Movement in going order, some small scratches to the backplate. The worm and wheel set-up appears to have been replaced. The dial in good overall condition. The rock crystal to the back cover with approx 7mm crack running to one side of the finial, very small crack towards edge of front rock crystal cover above 4 o'clock, some minor chips to crystal below pendant and a further small chip at the edge above 7 o'clock.
"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
Provincially made watches from this period are rare. John Smeaton of York was granted freedom of the city in 1646 and died at his estate in Austhorpe, near Leeds in 1686 (see Brian Loomes, The Early Clockmakers of Great Britain, 1981, p. 494). A silver watch with date indication by John Smeaton can be found in the collection of the British Museum.
It is quite possible that this watch was completed over a few years, perhaps interrupted by the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642. The decoration of the case and dial would suggest a date just prior to 1640, yet even though Smeaton would have been active before his freedom, the movement, which has clearly been made for this case and dial, hints at a date a few years later. The large pendant is decorated with acanthus leaves and its size would have allowed the watch to hang more evenly than would otherwise have been possible due to the depth of the faceted crystal case back.
It is quite possible that this watch was completed over a few years, perhaps interrupted by the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642. The decoration of the case and dial would suggest a date just prior to 1640, yet even though Smeaton would have been active before his freedom, the movement, which has clearly been made for this case and dial, hints at a date a few years later. The large pendant is decorated with acanthus leaves and its size would have allowed the watch to hang more evenly than would otherwise have been possible due to the depth of the faceted crystal case back.