23,000 CHF
The Adoration of the MagiPainted on enamel case probably German, circa 1670, movement by John Pyke, London, circa 1750. Very fine and rare 18 ct. gold and enamel watch. 42.8 mm o, hinged, gilt brass full plate with square baluster pillars, fusee and chain for the going train, verge escapement, plain three-arm brass balance, blued-steel balance spring, single-footed gilded cock pierced and engraved, diamond endstone, worm and wheel set-up rack and pinion with silver plate.Signed on the movement.Diam. 51 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, pages 94-95. Notes The artist gave great attention to detail here, as evidenced by the vignettes painted around the inside of the case, completing and matching those on the outside.Pyke John(about 1695 - 1762), he is listed in the Baillie as a 'Eminent' watchmaker and a 'great artist'.It was a common practice in the eighteenth century to replace the movement in a particularly expensive or beautiful watch case, in order to take advantage of technological advances in horology. Examples can be found in numerous museums and private collectionsSee lots 264 for a discussion of the replacement of movements in important 17th century cases.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2001-03-31
