John Ilbery

John Ilbery, London, 1324, hallmarked 1780. Very rare and fine gold, enamel and hard stone paircased watch with centre-seconds, made for the Chinese market. Outer: gold frame with basket pattern chased band and bezels decorated with floral motifs en grisaille and camaieu on a turquoise blue ground with diamond thumb piece, back panel designed as a piece of polished striated brown and grey streaked agate. Inner: two body plain polished gold with London hallmarks. Detachable gilt brass dust cap. White enamel, Roman hour numerals, outer Arabic 5 minute numerals and centre-seconds marks. Gold beetle-and-poker hands, later blued-steel centre-seconds. GiIt full plate, fusee with chain, verge escapement with plain 3- arm steel balance, flat spring, elaborately pierced, chased and engraved cock and regulator plate with diamond end stone. In very good condition. Diam. 64mm. Notes William Ilbery of London was the most famous maker of watches for the Oriental market. This watch, however is signed John, and hallmarked 1780, but would also appear to have been made for export to the Oriental market. The use of a centre-seconds hand is typical, and the hardstone panel decoration on the case is reminiscent of the rhomboidal and pear-shaped cornelian and brown agate watches exported by Ilbery in the 1790's.