A10721

Unusual Mock Pendulum Verge with Enamel Scenes

£9,750.00

Signed   Rodet    -    London
Circa   1710
Diameter   59 mm       Depth   19 mm

Out of stock

Description

An early 18th Century English verge with mock pendulum in a very unusual silver consular case set with polychrome enamels.  Deep full plate fire gilt movement, gilt Egyptian pillars capped by a thin blue steel plate and silver tops.  Fusee and chain with worm and wheel barrel setup between the plates.  The table of the bridge cock covered with a polychrome enamel portrait of a young woman holding a dove, semi-circular lower section pierced and glazed to reveal the bob on the balance. Engraved gilt rim enclosing the balance protecting it from dust.  Silver regulator disc flanked by two pierced and engrave silver affixes. Wound through the signed silver dial,  Roman and Arabic numerals, blue steel beetle and poker hands.  Silver consular case of very unusual design, both front and back covers opening sharing the same seven joint hinge with the middle section.  The middle constructed much like the inner of a pair case with a glazed split bezel hinged with the movement which the chased and engraved bezel closes over.  Silver pendant and ring bow.  Chased and engraved back cover set with a large polychrome enamel scene of an elderly man and young lady.  Opening the back cover reveals the back of the movement framed in a plain deep silver bezel and the reverse of the plaque with is decorated with another polychrome enamel scene of a courting couple and onlooker.

An attractive watch of unusual construction.  Features of the watch suggest Rodet was a Huguenot.  The subject of the enamels appears to be based on the tale of "Greek Charity".  This describes a Greek General, Cimone, starved by his Roman captors. On her daily visits his daughter succoured him and saved his life.  An almost identical watch is shown in the Camerer Cuss Book of Antique Watches pages 106 & 107.