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Lot 3721
JOSIAH EMERY. A FINE DECORATIVE GOLD AND ENAMEL OPENFACE A TOC QUARTER REPEATING KEYWOUND VERGE WATCH WITH MATCHING GILT AND ENAMEL CHATELAINE
SIGNED JOSIAH EMERY, CHARING CROSS, LONDON, NO. 426, CIRCA 1700
Closed30 November 2011
Price Realised
HKD 150,000
More Information
Specialist note
US$15,000-20,000
For an illustration of a similarly basse-taille enamel decorated watch and châtelaine see The English Watch - 1585-1970 by Terence Camerer Cuss, pp. 220 & 221, pl. 131.
A Swiss watchmaker of eminent ability, Josiah Emery, came to England and settled in London, carrying on business at 33, Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, between 1770 and 1805. Emery was one of the earliest makers to adopt Mudge's invention of the lever escapement, and having made a watch on this principle for Count Bruhl, which proved a most satisfactory timekeeper, he decided to continue its use. Emery was presented with the honorary freedom of the Clockmakers' Company on 2 April 1781; there is a watch by him with ruby cylinder, helical balance spring, and compensation curb, in the Guildhall Museum.
Basse-taille enamelling, known since the Ancient Romans, is a technique in which the artist creates a low-relief pattern in metal, usually silver or gold, by engraving or chasing. The entire pattern is made so that its highest point is lower than the surrounding metal. A translucent enamel is then applied to the metal, allowing light to reflect from the relief and creating an artistic effect.
For an illustration of a similarly basse-taille enamel decorated watch and châtelaine see The English Watch - 1585-1970 by Terence Camerer Cuss, pp. 220 & 221, pl. 131.
A Swiss watchmaker of eminent ability, Josiah Emery, came to England and settled in London, carrying on business at 33, Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, between 1770 and 1805. Emery was one of the earliest makers to adopt Mudge's invention of the lever escapement, and having made a watch on this principle for Count Bruhl, which proved a most satisfactory timekeeper, he decided to continue its use. Emery was presented with the honorary freedom of the Clockmakers' Company on 2 April 1781; there is a watch by him with ruby cylinder, helical balance spring, and compensation curb, in the Guildhall Museum.
Basse-taille enamelling, known since the Ancient Romans, is a technique in which the artist creates a low-relief pattern in metal, usually silver or gold, by engraving or chasing. The entire pattern is made so that its highest point is lower than the surrounding metal. A translucent enamel is then applied to the metal, allowing light to reflect from the relief and creating an artistic effect.