Beschreibung:

A RARE PROVINCIAL SILVER LARGER PAIR-CASED VERGE POCKET WATCH WITH CHAMPLEVE DIAL JAMES WHITFIELD, LIVERPOOL, LATE 17th CENTURY The tall gilt full plate single fusee movement with four Egyptian pillars incorporating fine scroll-pierced galleries pinned through the backplate, conforming pierced stop-iron block and verge escapement regulated by sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine symmetrical tight foliate scroll and strapwork pierced and engraved balance cock incorporating classical profile bust to centre and grotesque mask at the junction with the conforming pierced and engraved foot, flanked by silvered regulation disc set within adjacent conforming applied scroll engraved panel infill opposing signature IAMES WHITFIELD, the silver champleve dial with fine blued-steel backed symmetrical foliate scroll pierced and engraved centre incorporating oval cartouche engraved WHITFIELD to upper margin and with small banner engraved LIVERPOOL within the lower decoration, the Roman numeral chapter ring with diamond lozenge half hour markers and incorporating a calendar aperture at twelve o'clock, within Arabic cartouche five minute numerals to outer track, the inner case applied with suspension post at twelve o'clock and the outer case with moulded rim, both cases unmarked, (lacking contrate wheel, hands and suspension bow). The pillar plate 4.1cm (1.625ins) diameter; the inner case 5cm (2ins) diameter; the outer case 6cm (2.375ins) diameter. A James Whitfield is recorded in Loomes, Brian Clockmakers of Britain 1286-1700 as a watchmaker who died in Liverpool in 1674. Loomes also records a watchmaker named John Whitfield as born in Liverpool in 1677 and married in 1688. Details such as the style of the finely pieced and engraved balance cock, pierced Egyptian pillars, Tompion-type regulation and squared-off shouldered to the case hinges would suggest a date in the mid 1690's for the present watch. From this it is probable appropriate to suggest that the maker was possibly an unrecorded son of the watchmaker with the same name recorded by Loomes as dying in 1674. Condition Report: As catalogued the movement is lacking contrate wheel and arbor. The escapewheel arbor is also bent and the balance staff top pivot is broken or loose. The fusee chain is also unhooked form the barrel, otherwise movement appears to be in sound original condition with original gilding showing only minor rubbing/oxidation and only a few slight scuffs/scratches near the movement pillars. As catalogued the dial is lacking its hands otherwise is in fine original condition; the calendar will advance as it should. The inner case is in sound original condition; the suspension post has been re-attached with a small base-metal strengthening plate riveted to the interior and the bow is lacking; the surface exhibits shallow denting with minor evidence of dent removal to interior. The outer case shows overall moderate wear and shallow denting; there is a slight split concentric with and near to aperture at the hinge side and the button for the clasp is missing. There is no winding key included. Condition Report Disclaimer