Blois Enamel” William Clay Fecit

“Blois Enamel” William Clay Fecit, London. Made circa 1630. Very fine and exceptionally rare 22K gold and enamel pre-balance spring pendant watch with Blois enameled case. Accompanied by an 18th Century shagreen covered protecting case. To be sold without reserve. Two-body, “bassine”, fully decorated with multicoloured enameled flowers on a white ground, domed crystal. Decorated en suite, white enamel chapter ring with radial Roman numerals. Single gilt brass “tulip” hand. 24 mm., hinged gilt brass full-plate with turned inverted baluster pillars, short four-wheel train, fusee with gut line, verge escapement, plain steel two-arm balance without spring, gilt brass irregular cock pierced and engraved with wild strawberries, secured by a screw, worm screw setting with numbered gold disc. Signed on the backplate. Diam. 29 mm. Notes Provenance: Traditionally by family descent from the contemporary Bishop of Hereford. There can be no doubt that the uniquely decorated case of this watch is a product of the Blois school of enameling. Most likely it was actually made in Blois, since there is little evidence that trained craftsmen set up in business outside France much before 1650, and anyway the techniques were a closely guarded secret. Felibien des Avaux, writing in 1676 ascribes the technique of painting in enamel on enamel to Jean Toutin, a goldsmith from Chateaudun, with a date of 1632. Contemporary records would indicate an earlier date, probably the end of the 1620s. What