English gold pendant watch with chatelaine Circa 1780

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Kenmerk
AS1655
Diameter
50 mm
Estimate
€ 7.500 - 12.500
Price sold
€ 6.600

Gold and enamel pendant watch by John Brockbank
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A fine English gold and enamel pair cased watch with gold chain suspended with tassels, circa 1780. This watch boasts a gilded full plate movement, later lever escapement and a beautifully crafted pierced balance cock engraved with floral and foliage patterns. The neck of the watch has an urn and there is a diamond end stone, silver regulation plate, fusee and chain and cylindrical pillars. The watch is signed and numbered Jno. Brockbank, London, no. 1464 and it also includes a gilt metal dust cap with the same signature and number. It’s white enamel dial displays Roman numerals, an outer minute ring and gold beetle and poker hands.
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The watch has two cases: a plain gold inner case with a winding aperture, a stirrup pendant and bow and is hallmarked 1780. The maker’s mark is indistinct, but the case is numbered 1. The gold outer case has a central plaque painted in polychrome enamel. The plaque depicts two maidens wrapping a garland of flowers around a female stone bust mounted on a pedestal. The scene is surrounded by a purple guilloché enamel frame with white enamel dots simulating pearls. The front and back bezels have an opaque white enamel ground with ruby coloured enamel roundels. The decorative pendant chains have an oval enamel central panel decorated en suite with the case back. The panel is centered with a small enamel painted panel of a landscape on one side. The reverse side has a glazed reserve containing a plaited lock of hair. The chain terminates in tassels with similar decorative motifs.
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Diameter: 50 mm
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Signed: Jno. Brockbank, London
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The dial has some small scratches. The inner casing has some denting and depressions on the band, while the outer casing is generally in good condition, with some chipping and loss to the opaque white enamel banding around the opening catch at the back of the case and a few small chips to the white enamel band on the front bezel. The enamel panel within the chain has some cracks and chips, and one of the chains is detached. 
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John Brockbank, along with his brother Myles, was a renowned chronometer maker from England. He was apprenticed in the year 1761 and became a member of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1769. He remained a member until he died in 1806. His brother, who was also apprenticed with him, joined him to form a company in 1780. John managed the company until he passed away. After Myles retired in 1808, their sons continued the business. Brockbank was famous for making precision watches with detached escapement. He employed several notable watchmakers, including Thomas Earnshaw, to work with him during his career.

Signed: Jno. Brockbank, London

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