A10618

Gilt Underpainted Horn English Verge

£950.00

Signed   Philip Pine    London
Circa   1770
Diameter   48 mm       Depth   14 mm

Out of stock

Description

An 18th Century English verge in gilt metal and underpainted horn pair cases.  Full plate fire gilt movement with square baluster pillars.  Pierced and engraved cock, large diamond endstone in a polished steel setting, silver regulator disc. Fusee and chain with worm and wheel barrel setup between the plates. Plain three arm steel balance, blue steel spiral hairspring.  White enamel dial with Roman and Arabic numerals, blue steel beetle and poker hands.  Plain gilt inner case.  Gilt outer case covered in dark underpainted horn decorated with gilt pique pins.

Although of superior quality, with jewelled bearings to the verge, the movement is unremarkable except in one respect.  The top plate bears a well engraved index, apparently for a Bosley style regulator.  The engraving is carried over the end of a pillar which has a hole close to it to allow the pin to be removed.  It is clear the movement was originally constructed in this manner as it is well executed and gilded.  It may have been used in some form of experiment to improve the watches timekeeping.