English silver verge with polychrome enamel dial Circa 1861

Silver verge in pair cases
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A charming English silver pair-cased verge pocket watch, circa 1861. Gilded full plate movement, lever escapement, three-arm balance with screwed weights, decoratively engraved balance cock, fusee and chain, cylindrical pillars, signed J. Telford Bellingham, gilt metal dust cap with maker’s mark TF possibly for Thomas John Fielder.
White enamel dial with Roman hours and outer minute track, the centre with a polychrome enamel painted pastoral scene titled ‘Speed the Plough’, gold spade hands. Plain inner and outer case, a winding aperture to the back of the inner case, a Regency pendant, both cases hallmarked Birmingham 1861, the inner with maker’s mark RS incuse possibly for Richard Swann.
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Diameter: 57 m
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Signed: J. Telford Bellingham

Dials painted with enamel scenes of ploughing and the title ‘Speed the Plough’ beneath, had been popular since at least the 1830s. ‘Speed the Plough’ was a title given to a melody written in 1799 and favoured during the 19th century. The mantra was a traditional one which had its origins in prayer and song – ‘God spede the plow’ – and was popular for ploughmen and the farming community at least as far back as the medieval period. Watches with this subject matter on their dials appear to have been especially popular amongst watchmakers working in small towns in rural areas.