English gold verge made for the Chinese market Circa 1760

Gold, enamel and stone set quarter repeater
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A magnificent English gold, enamel, diamond, ruby emerald and agate-set quarter repeating pair cased verge pocket watch made for the Chinese market, circa 1760. Full plate fire gilt movement, later lever escapement, pierced and engraved balance cock with diamond endstone, fusee and chain, cylindrical pillars, repeating on a bell to the inside case back, movement with detachable dust ring. White enamel dial, Roman hours, outer Arabic minute track and blued steel beetle & poker hands.

A gold inner case with decoratively pierced and engraved sides, the back with blue flowers and green leaves in basse taille enamel against a decoratively engine turned background, long plunge pendant for the repeat, diamond-set pendant and bow, a pulse piece to the band between 6 and 7 o’clock, punched with maker’s mark SG for Stephen Goujon, the outer case with gold embossed flowers and scrolls over an orange coloured agate, the whole heightened with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds, some set in the form of floral sprays, diamond set borders, diamond set thumb piece, the front bezel decorated to match. Movement signed Fras Perigal London.
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Diameter: 41 mm
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Signed: Fras Perigal London
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The impressive case of this watch is the work of Stephen Goujon who was free of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1725.

Francis Perigal was based at 9 Threadneedle Street by the Royal Exchange. He was free of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1741 and master in 1756, he was succeeded by his son, also called Francis. 

Basse taille is an enamelling technique in which the artist creates a low relief pattern in metal, usually silver or gold, by engraving or chasing. The entire pattern is created in such a way that its highest point is lower than the surrounding metal. A translucent enamel is then applied to the metal, allowing light to reflect from the relief and creating an artistic effect. It was used in the late Middle Ages, and then again in the 17th century.