Pair-case Watch and Chatelaine
Artist
James De Baufre
(British, active 1712 - 1750)
Date1725-1750
MediumGold, old mine diamonds, silver, rubies, agate, enamel
Dimensions177.8 x 44.5 x 31.8 mm
ClassificationsT&E FOR TIMEKEEPING
Credit LineProctor Collection, Thomas R. Proctor Watch Collection
Object numberPC. 318.a-b
DescriptionRepousse gold paircase quarter repeating watch and chatelaine set with diamonds and rubiesEnglish
Case: outer: central panel repousse with basket of floweres, rubies and diamonds applied to simulate panels of basket, flowerheads and grasshopper, symmetric scroll border, band and hinged bezel panelled with alternating pierced leafy scroll openwork and openwork set with gems forming, on the band, flowers, and, on the bezel, diamonds flanked by rubies, diamond thumbpiece.
inner: pierced band of engraved leafy scrolls/strapwork inhabited by exotic birds and serpents, within bands of husks, pendant panel a townscape, classical portrait bust of helemeted man at drop panel, pendant with rosette boss and bow cast with scrolls.
chatelaine: diamond-ruby quatrefoils flanked on either side by pierced shaped link chain and two short chains for a key with circular head with rose diamond rosette and a double scroll fob seal, the matrix of white/grey agate carved with classical male bust, the double scroll hook repeating the basket motif set with numerous gems, the bail flanked on either side by leafy scrolls.
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Copyright<a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc/4.0/80x15.png" /></a><br />This work is licensed under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License</a>.
Label TextA pair-case watch has an inner case, which contains the movement, and a detachable outer case that protects the watch from dirt and damage. In the eighteenth century this type of watch was ordinarily made of silver; gold was reserved for watches produced by distinguished watchmakers, such as this example by the workshop of Jacques Debaufre. The outer case is elaborately decorated with repoussé, chasing, and piercing and is set with precious gemstones. Similarly, the chatelaine features diamond and ruby enhance-ments. The key for winding the watch and a seal are suspended from either side of the chatelaine. Thomas Proctor purchased this watch and chatelaine in 1903 from Tiffany and Company.
