Francis Nawe at London: A late sixteenth century English giltmetal verge watch circa 1580, signed on the backplate with border engraved with fruit and foliage, pinned S-form cock with ogee foot, later balance, turn-buckle securing stud, the four baluster pillar movement with large gilt barrel having set-up beneath, fusee (lacking gut) 'scape and second wheel lacking, the dial with Roman chapters and touch-pieces, the centre engraved with scrolling foliage inhabited with butterflies and a winged cherub's head beneath a baldachin, single steel hand, the case with plain lid (possibly later), moulded band, the back with scallop-form shutter to winding hole and movement securing disc

Details

Francis Nawe at London: A late sixteenth century English giltmetal verge watch circa 1580, signed on the backplate with border engraved with fruit and foliage, pinned S-form cock with ogee foot, later balance, turn-buckle securing stud, the four baluster pillar movement with large gilt barrel having set-up beneath, fusee (lacking gut) 'scape and second wheel lacking, the dial with Roman chapters and touch-pieces, the centre engraved with scrolling foliage inhabited with butterflies and a winged cherub's head beneath a baldachin, single steel hand, the case with plain lid (possibly later), moulded band, the back with scallop-form shutter to winding hole and movement securing disc
77mm. over pendant

Lot Essay

Francis Nawe, a Huguenot, believed to have been born in Brabant and came over to work in London circa 1580, d. 1593. Recorded as being related to Michael Nouwen, a maker of repute who worked from 1589.
This watch would appear to be slightly less decorative than two other very similar watches in the Webster Collection, Sotheby's London, 27 May 1954, lots 9 & 140. However their composition is almost identical in case form with similar balance cocks and ingenious method of securing the movement to case

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