Toghah

Toghah, made for the Persian Market, circa 1680. Very fine oval gilt-bronze pre-balance spring watch with damascened back plate. Cast, two body, oval "bassine" with split bezel, the band engraved with panels of arabesques, the back pierced and chased with flowers and foliage. Giltbrass eccentric chapter ring with Turkish numerals with outer chased arabesque decoration and similarly decorated centre. Blued-steel single hand. Hinged oval gilt-brass full plate with pierced quatrefoil pillars, the back plate overlaid with a damascened and nielloed silver plate. Fusee with chain, three wheel train with verge escapement, plain two-arm steel balance without spring, florally pierced silver cock with triangular foot. Inlaid set-up disc. Signed on the movement Dim. 62 x 48 mm. Notes Although watches of this type have traditionally been attributed to Turkish makers, the style of this example is more traditionally Arabic in taste. The case is in fact cast and then chased, and although not striking, the pierced decoration is typical of that region.