DESCRIPTION:
EPW - John Blundell, Greenwich, (apprenticed to George Nau December 2, 1678, active until ca 1730), rare early fusee clockwatch, 55mm, mid-18th century coin silver OF original pair cases with finely engraved and pierced foliate scrolling to both inner and outer, grotesque masks at base of inner and below button on outer, no hallmarks but the inner under bell has the mark, "14/5 1668," most likely a repair reference, KWKS, WED replaced in the mid 18th century, poker and beetle hands of the same date as the dial, verge escapement, gilt two-train mvt with pierced & engraved foliate scrolled balance cock, no serial number, ca 1720. George Nau, who Baillie says died in 1702, became a brother of the Clockmaker Company in 1675, a status sometimes given to "aliens," or foreigners, as Nau's surname suggests, and was a jeweler and casemaker. Blundell became his apprentice only three years after establishment of the Observatory, and made clocks as well as watches. Sold in our galleries in 2012.
CONDITION:
Mvt: GRO, good balance motion, good escapement function, excellent mvt condition overall, plates show fine gilding, scratch somewhat below Blundell name, no oxide on steel components; dial with hl from center to 12, three hls from center to bottom, with minor chip at the latch; hands in fine near purple-blue; original outer case shows very light wear, few MFS, no dents or dings, good detail; button latch good, perfect top; original inner case shows little wear, few MFS, no dents or dings, good detail; bow & pendant original, very light wear; good domed glass crystal; a very beautiful early 18th century clockwatch; the Greenwich association lends it all the more charm
ESTIMATE:
$5000
-
$7000
PRICE SOLD:
$3800
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