English superb silver scallop shell-form verge Circa 1645

Superb and very rare silver scallop shell form verge
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An English verge pocket watch with fire gilt full plate movement, circa 1645. Pierced and engraved pinned on balance cock, plain steel balance, ratchet and click set up, early Egyptian pillars with engraved decoration, highly engraved dial decorated with flowers, red Roman numerals with half and quarter divisions, blued steel hand, silver scallop shell form case with polished ribs against a matte ground, shell shaped shuttered winding cover to the rear, flower bud pendant.
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Diameter: 53 mm, including pendant
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Width: 31 mm
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Signed: Richard Masterson fecit
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This watch is in superb condition, with a beautifully engraved dial and richly shaded flower heads of large and more varied form than those found before 1640. From shortly before 1640 through to 1650, engraved flowers and foliage became more naturalistic and tended to be more formally arranged, with stems running south to north. Later, during the 1650s, floral decoration became more free flowing. The chapter ring is filled with red wax, which provides a dramatic and appealing contrast to the rest of the dial and the shell shaped winding shutter to the case back is charmingly scallop shaped to match the case itself. Few watches were made during the Civil War (1642-1651); stylistically, this watch would suggest a date around 1645.

Richard Masterson was a Free Brother of the Clockmakers’ Company in October 1633; he became a Warden in 1637 and was Master in 1642. It is thought that he died in December 1653.