English silver and gilt metal octagonal verge Circa 1630

Fine and rare silver and gilt metal octagonal verge watch
–
An English fine and rare silver and gilt metal octagonal verge watch, circa 1630, gilded full plate movement with decoratively engraved border, verge escapement, decoratively pierced and engraved pinned on balance cock and foot, plain flat balance, ratchet and click set up with pierced decoration, fusee and gut line, baluster pillars, signed William Cory. The dial silver, gilded chapter ring with Roman numerals and half hour divisions, the dial centre with an engraved scene depicting Amnon killing Absolom a banner engraved left and right reading ‘Amnon killed by Absolom’, bordered by engraved figures, scroll work and trumpet players above 12 o’clock, gilded arrow form hand.The case silver, engraved scene to the front depicting David dancing before the Ark, the corresponding back panel showing Rahab lowering the spies from the window, inside covers depicting respectively the Crucifixion and Resurrection each surrounded by related scenes, gilt metal bezels and unusual cherub form pendant, silver band engraved with figures including soldiers, jouster and a King beneath a castle.
–
Diameter: 65 mm
–
Width: 33 mm
–
Signed: William Cory
–
This watch shares some design similarities with another watch by James Vautrollier.

Formerly in the Marryat Collection, the watch was described and illustrated in detail by Marryat in his book Henlein to Tompion. Many of the scenes to the case and dial of Cory’s
watch are meticulously executed, none more so than the dial’s centre which Marryat describes thus: “Amon being killed by Absolom. A sword being thrust through his back, whilst the guests at the feast raise their hands apparently in horror.”  Interestingly, as this watch was made before the publication of the King James I version of the bible, the chapter and verse engraved in two scenes refer to an earlier version of the Bible, pre dating the King James I version.