MATTHEW DAY | AN EXCEPTIONAL OVAL SILVER AND GILT-METAL VERGE WATCHCIRCA 1625

• Movement: gilded full plate oval with decoratively engraved border, verge escapement, plain flat steel balance, pierced and floral engraved pinned-on balance cock, wheel and click set-up with similarly decorated cock, fusee and gut line, pierced Egyptian pillars • movement signed Mathew Day Fecit• Dial: silver, chapter ring with Roman numerals and half-hour divisions, centre engraved with a soldier wearing a sheathed sword and holding a pike aloft, a line of figures in the middle distance, the outer border with scrolling flowers and foliage, a winged cherub above 12 o'clock, turned blued steel hand the tip in the form of a hand its index finger indicating the time• Case: silver oval, front cover engraved with a winged figure of Mercury within an oval bordered with repeated lozenge motif, case back with further classical warrior within a similar oval border, winding aperture covered by a gilded scallop-form cover, inside front cover engraved with a wreath, silver band engraved with scrolling flowers and foliage, gilded mounts and trefoil pendant

Dial: Good overall condition with light scuffs and scratches. Case:Handsome case with light scuffs and scratches, tarnishing and some wear to the gilding, especially that of the pendant. Movement: Not running at time of cataloguing but appears to be complete. Three of the pillars are missing their securing pins to the backplate. Two very small blank holes just to the side of the balance cock.
"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 cover of this watch is engraved with the winged figure of Mercury, one of the twelve gods of Olympus. Known to the Greeks as Hermes, he was also the patron of travellers and therefore an appropriate figure with which to decorate the case of a portable timepiece. Matthew Day is listed by both Baillie and Loomes and is noted to have worked in the town of Saffron Walden, just south of Cambridge. A watch with a case of similar design but with different scenes may be found in the collections of the British Museum, the latter having a movement signed John Lampard fecit.