Swiss Silver Champleve Dial Pair Cased Verge
Swiss Silver Champleve Dial Pair Cased Verge
£4,500.00
Description
A large late 17th Century Swiss verge with silver champleve dial in silver pair cases. Deep full plate fire gilt movement with Egyptian pillars. Fusee and chain with worm and wheel barrel setup between the plates. Pierced and engraved winged cock depicting birds and foliage on the table, broad pierced and engraved foot. Plain steel balance, silver regulator disc. Signed silver champleve dial, chased and engraved centre depicting a lion and unicorn with crown above. Roman and Arabic numerals, blue steel beetle and poker hands. Silver pair cases, plain inner case with silver pendant and ring bow, maker’s mark "AH" below a crown. Large silver outer case decorated in a geometric chased and engraved pattern and signed "ARPIN" next to the hinge. The cases punch marked with a small oval of a bird in numerous places including the pendant.
A good example of Swiss watchmaking which was often very similar to English watches of the period. The lion and unicorn symbolised England and Scotland from 1603. They may have been used to suggest the watch was of English origin as they were considered superior at the time. Marc Thomegay (also Thomegaux), Geneva 1679 - 1729. His son, also Marc, settled in London about 1725 working as a watchmaker until 1779. He had three children with Martha Powis and was in partnership with his son.
Signed Marc Thomegay
Circa 1700
Diameter 59 mm
Depth 19 mm
| item details | |
|---|---|
| Origin | European Other |
| Period | 18th Century |
| Condition | Excellent |
| Materials | Silver |
Product REF: w11644
