Live Auction 1380Important Watches
George Prior. A fine and small 18K gold and enamel triple case verge watch, made for the Turkish market
Lot 140

George Prior. A fine and small 18K gold and enamel triple case verge watch, made for the Turkish market

SIGNED GEORGE PRIOR, LONDON, NO. 41'412, STAMPED WITH LONDON DATE LETTER FOR 1810

Closed16 May 2011

Price Realised

CHF 27,500

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George Prior. A fine and small 18K gold and enamel triple case verge watch, made for the Turkish market
Signed George Prior, London, no. 41'412, stamped with London date letter for 1810
Gilt-finished verge movement, chain fusée, finely pierced and engraved foliage decorated balance cock and foot, white enamel dial, Turkish numerals, blued steel moon-style hands, plain circular inner case, scalloped middle case with polychrome champlevé enamel decorated bezel and rim, the back centred by a painted polychrome enamel riverside scene, framed by a translucent scarlet enamel scalloped border, red, green and white champlevé enamel floral and foliage decorated outer case, glazed aperture to the back, inner case numbered and stamped AN, dial signed, movement signed and numbered
41.5 mm. diam.

Specialist note

George Prior, born in 1782 and recorded as working in London from 1793-1830, was an eminent watchmaker, specializing in the production of watches and clocks for the Turkish market.

From the early 18th century onward, the Ottoman Empire's upper class developed a taste for European watches, a demand which at first was principally met by London makers. These watches are distinguished by the Turkish numerals and highly decorated dials and cases, often fitted with triple or even quadruple cases. The bows were shaped, for example in crescent form, the lavishly adorned cases could be set with precious stones or decorated with enamel scenes, the themes adapted to the clientele's own aesthetic forms.