94th Auction
2016/11/12
Lot 97
William Anthony, London, Case No. 2072, 64 mm, 154 g, circa 1790
An important gold enamel pocket watch of museum quality with jumping central seconds and duplex pin lever escapement, studded with half pearls and diamonds; produced for the Chinese market
Case: 18k gold, circular. Dial: enamel. Movm.: bridge movement, gilt, lavishly florally engraved, five-arm steel balance.
The enamel medallion on the back has an exquisite engine-turned pattern with delicate translucent cobalt blue enamelling – the quality of the workmanship is outstanding. It is decorated with applied gold fillets with pearl ornaments; a large central diamond rosette sits within a circle of pearls. The rim is decorated with polychrome champlevé motifs of opaque light blue and translucent red and blue borders. The bezels on both sides are studded with half pearls, as are pendant and bow. This is a striking watch in extraordinarily fine condition.
The "sister watch" - number 2071 - was sold at Christie’s in London on April 2, 1996.
William Anthony (1765-1844) worked in Red Lion Street, St. John's Square, Clerkenwell, and specialised in watches for the Chinese market.
Source: "Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World", by G.H. Baillie vol. I, Edinburgh/London, 1947, p. 7.
Watches by William Anthony very rarely appear on the market. From a study of the public collections and the auction market over the last 50 years we learn that only 17 oval watches (from which 6 with expanding hands) and 15 round watches are known to exist.
An important gold enamel pocket watch of museum quality with jumping central seconds and duplex pin lever escapement, studded with half pearls and diamonds; produced for the Chinese market
Case: 18k gold, circular. Dial: enamel. Movm.: bridge movement, gilt, lavishly florally engraved, five-arm steel balance.
The enamel medallion on the back has an exquisite engine-turned pattern with delicate translucent cobalt blue enamelling – the quality of the workmanship is outstanding. It is decorated with applied gold fillets with pearl ornaments; a large central diamond rosette sits within a circle of pearls. The rim is decorated with polychrome champlevé motifs of opaque light blue and translucent red and blue borders. The bezels on both sides are studded with half pearls, as are pendant and bow. This is a striking watch in extraordinarily fine condition.
The "sister watch" - number 2071 - was sold at Christie’s in London on April 2, 1996.
William Anthony (1765-1844) worked in Red Lion Street, St. John's Square, Clerkenwell, and specialised in watches for the Chinese market.
Source: "Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World", by G.H. Baillie vol. I, Edinburgh/London, 1947, p. 7.
Watches by William Anthony very rarely appear on the market. From a study of the public collections and the auction market over the last 50 years we learn that only 17 oval watches (from which 6 with expanding hands) and 15 round watches are known to exist.
Sold
estimated
80.000—120.000 €
Price realized
93.000 €