English tortoiseshell pair cased verge by Tompion Circa 1688

Tortoiseshell verge by Thomas Tompion
–
An English verge by Tompion in silver and tortoiseshell pair cases, circa. Deep full plate fire gilt movement with elaborate pierced pillars. Fusee and chain with worm and wheel barrel setup between the plates. Pierced and engraved winged cock with irregular pierced and engraved foot. Plain steel three-arm balance, silver regulator disc. Later white enamel dial with Roman and Arabic numerals, blue steel beetle and poker hands.
Plain silver inner case, silver pendant, and stirrup bow. Silver and tortoiseshell outer case elaborately decorated with silver pique pins.
–
Diameter: 56 mm
–
Signed: Tho Tompion London
–
Thomas Tompion (1639–1713) was the most famous English clockmaker, watchmaker, and mechanician who is still regarded to this day as the Father of English Clockmaking. Tompion’s work includes some of the most historic and important clocks and watches in the World and can command very high prices whenever outstanding examples appear at auction. A plaque commemorates the house he shared on Fleet Street with his equally famous pupil and successor George Graham.