JAMES COX, LONDON, NO. 1547, CIRCA 1765, THE SILVER POSSIBLY CHINESE EXPORT

This watch casket is typical of the craftsmanship of the London jeweller, gold/silversmith and automata supplier, the pre-eminent and entrepreneurial James Cox (c. 1723-1800) of 103 Shoe Lane, London, who led the field in the export of watches, musical clocks and automata to the Qing Dynasty Emperors and the Imperial Court. The present casket is particularly unusual in incorporating a Chinese Export silver panel as a ground for the watch. This casket was undoubtedly intended for the Eastern market; particularly with its dragon feet, a much repeated theme throughout his work, it is what Cox termed in ‘the Asiatick taste’.