Lot 143

David Hubert, London, Movement No. 1970, Diameter of the watch 37 mm, Total Height 140 mm, Weight of the watch 50 g, circa 1750
A remarkable and prestigious English gold and agate dressing nécessaire with telescope and compass, of superb quality and execution in the style of James Cox. With corresponding verge pocket watch of outstanding quality.
Case: gold/red and grey agate/diamond, gilt brass. Dial: enamel. Movm.: full plate movement, chain/fusee, three-arm brass balance.
The nécessaire has the form of a commode on four grey agate ball feet; the lid is decorated with two bell-shaped ornaments on the top. The body has panels of red and grey agate with white and fawn markings and is decorated with chased gold fittings with rocailles, volutes and flowers; the front also shows two putti while the sides and the back have birds. A small spyglass is inserted in the lid and a compass sits in the back panel. On top of the structure a verge pocket watch with a brown agate case sits in a semicircular support. The nécessaire is opened with a diamond-studded thumbpiece on the front. Inside are three glass flasks with gilt stoppers and other instruments decorated with gold ornaments; a pair of tweezers, a small spoon, a mirror and two ivory dance cards with pencil and small knife.
This nécessaire was auctioned at Sotheby's London on March 6, 1967, lot 215.
Baillie's "Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World" David Hubert is recorded as an impoertant watchmaker working in London around 1714-1748. In 1743 Hubert became a master of the Company of Clockmakers; he was succeeded by Joseph Barnes in circa 1747.