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A very fine John Ellicott gold verge escapement pair case watch,…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Sydney
Date:
7-Dec-2020
Lot No.
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Description:
A very fine John Ellicott gold verge escapement pair case watch, gilt fullplate movement with fusee, engraved and pierced balance cock culminating at edge with an engraved green man. Verge escapement. Floral styled columns. The fullplate signed Jn Ellicott London. The inner case marked Jb and bearing the hallmarks for London 1751, the outside rear engraved 'Elizabeth Pattisson G.Grandmother of Talfourd Ely, 1748', with winding hole. The face with enamel dial, Roman numeral chapter ring and outer Arabic ring for the minutes, beetle and poker blued hands. The outer case with fine repousse and engraved scene of cupid crowning Psyche set within a border of scrollwork and floral motifs continuing to the bezel, signed 'Manly' for Henry Manly. With later watchpaper for retailer Camerer Cuss & Co, new Oxford Street (post-1914). With a shagreen protective case. Diameter: 47 mm. Provenance: Elizabeth Pattison (circa 1748), Thence by descent to Talfourd Ely Fsa, Sotheby's, 16th October 1987, Where purchased by Terence Camerer Cuss, London, the collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney, acquired from the above, Literature: illustrated in T. C. Cuss, English watch 1585-1970, 2008. Other Notes: John Ellicott (1706-1772), Son of the fine watchmaker John Ellicott, is known to have established himself in Sweeting's Alley, near the old Royal exchange. By 1738 he had joined the Royal Society as a fellow on the recommendation of Sir Hans Sloane (the renowned physician and collector, of which Sloane square, London is named after), John Senex (cartographer to Queen Anne), and John Hadley (Mathematician and inventor of the naval octant). Ellicott was also clockmaker to the King for George II and III. Ellicott's work is prized for its excellent workmanship, with his finer watches being lavishly decorated with elaborate repousse scenes. The present example bears a rich depiction of the moment cupid crowns the revered mythological beauty Psyche, signifying their immortal marriage. Henry Manly, (active 1730-1760) was a particularly celebrated chaser and engraver, he is known to have found 'Great favour with Kind George of England and was commissioned to make for him many beautiful works, which brought exceptional acclaim'. The inscription to the inner case implies that the watch was owned by Elizabeth Pattisson, the great grandmother of the British archaeologist and classical scholar, Talfourd Ely of University College London and the Society of Antiquaries. The movement bears single fluted columns flanked by pierced foliate scrollwork, a characteristic trait of Ellicott's oeuvre.
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified