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Details
An 18th century gold pair cased quarter repeating verge pocket watch, by Joseph Antram
The gold dial with black enamel Roman chapter ring, Arabic outer minute ring, and blued steel beetle and poker hands, signed Antram, London the inner case pierced and foliate engraved with central mask, the verge and fusee movment with pierced foliate balance cock and rose-cut diamond end stone, repeating on two hammers on bell within the case back, signed Joseph Antram, Watch Maker to His Majesty, number 123 the signature repeated on the dust cover, the outer repoussé case with central scene in high relief depicting Appeles painting Campaspe, with Alexander the Great in armour standing gesturing to the artist who is holding Campaspe's hand her portrait resting on an easel in the background, within a scroll border and subsidiary scenes in four cartouches. circa 1720, case diameter 53.0mm
The gold dial with black enamel Roman chapter ring, Arabic outer minute ring, and blued steel beetle and poker hands, signed Antram, London the inner case pierced and foliate engraved with central mask, the verge and fusee movment with pierced foliate balance cock and rose-cut diamond end stone, repeating on two hammers on bell within the case back, signed Joseph Antram, Watch Maker to His Majesty, number 123 the signature repeated on the dust cover, the outer repoussé case with central scene in high relief depicting Appeles painting Campaspe, with Alexander the Great in armour standing gesturing to the artist who is holding Campaspe's hand her portrait resting on an easel in the background, within a scroll border and subsidiary scenes in four cartouches. circa 1720, case diameter 53.0mm
Further details
Appelles, the celebrated painter of ancient Greece was court painter to Alexander the Great. He fell in love with Campaspe, who was the emperors favourite concubine, whilst painting her. Alexander as a mark of his appreciation of the painter's work, made him a present of her.
Joseph Antram was apprenticed to Charles Gretton on 17th January 1697 for a period of seven years, he was the Royal watch maker from 1716 until his death in 1723.
Joseph Antram was apprenticed to Charles Gretton on 17th January 1697 for a period of seven years, he was the Royal watch maker from 1716 until his death in 1723.