48,300 CHF
John Champion, London, No. 1981, circa 1770.Very fine and important 22 ct. gold and enamel, agate- and gem-set, quarter repeating watch, made for the Chinese market. Outer: double-body, the entirely pierced, chased and repoussé bezel and back set with agate, rubies, diamonds and emeralds, the back with a very fine agate in the centre, four smaller agate cartouches surrounding it, separated by gold flowers set with diamonds, emeralds and rubies. Inner: double body, bassine, entirely pierced and engraved, with a house and a tree, the opposite side engraved with a portrait of a gentleman, the band pierced and engraved with foliage and flowers, the back decorted with a single flower stem, gilded dust cap. 29.3 mm o, gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring, gilt brass one-footed English cock, pierced and engraved with asymmetrical foliage, worm-wheel set-up. Repeating on a bell by depressing the pendant.Signed on the back plate and the dust cap, numbered on the outside of the inner case by the pendant, case stamped HT.Diam. 48 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 242-243. Notes John Championmade a number of watches for the Chinese market, all of the highest quality. Some were made for the Chinese Imperial family, such as the example sold in these rooms on 25 April, 1993, lot No. 483. A practically identical watch made by Champion, with serial No. 1995, is illustrated on p.190 of
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2001-03-31
