Rare Silver Pair-Cased Pocket Watch by Henry Massy, Circa 1705

A rare silver pair-cased pocket watch, maker Henry Massy…
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A rare silver pair-cased pocket watch, maker Henry Massy English circa 1705 4.8 cm diameter, 5.4 cm high, 6 cm case diameter. A rare silver pair-cased pocket watch, maker Henry Massy. English Circa 1705. Silver pair cased watch, the outer case covered with black leather decorated with silver pin-. work, the inner case bearing the number 2261 and the casemaker's mark P.R.N Silver champleve dial with blued steel beetle and poker hands. Signed "Massy" in a cartouche above the centre of the dial and "London" in a cartouche below. Both cartouches are surrounded by elaborate scroll work and the higher cartouche is surmounted by a shell. There is a ringed date aperture below the lower. cartouche. The movement has a verge escapement with fusee and chain drive, and an ornate fusee. stop. Winged, pierced and engraved cock in a foliate design, eagle at top of table with spread wings, centre with shell and female mask near foot. The latter is similarly pierced and engraved, as is the fret around the indicator dial for the regulator. The plates are separated by ornate Egyptian pillars with scrolling above, and there is an ornate fusee stop. Signed on the backplate "Henry Massy, London,No. 2261". Reference: Henry Massy was a son of Nicholas Massy of Blois who came to London in about 1660;. Henry was made a brother of the Clockmakers Company in 1692 and worked until 1745. He has watches in the Guildhall Museum, the Science Museum and private collections. In a letter to Norman from Terence Camerer Cuss, Terence states "This watch is really in. exquisite condition and has seen little use. Even the hinge to the outer case is still tight. It was at one time in the collection of Lord Harris. Henry Massy is of course a well-known name.". Provenance: Purchased by Norman Dean from Camerer Cuss & Co on 9/1/1978 for 1200 pounds. Dimensions: 4.8 cm diameter, 5.4 cm high, 6 cm case diameter

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  • Cartouche - An ornamental panel in the form of of a shield, oval or rectangular scroll with curling edges. It may be carved into the back of a chair or the top of a sideboard, or present on a piece of silver or jewellery, and contain the initials of the original owner, heraldic symbols, or some other inscription, such as the details of a presentation.

    In ceramics the term defines the central area of a vase or similar with a decorative border in one of the shapes above, into which a decorative scene or figures have been painted.
  • Fusee - The fusee movement was used in clocks and pocket watches from the mid 17th century. The fusee is a cone shaped drum within the works that is linked to the barrel of the spring, usually by a length of chain.

    As the mainspring loses its tension over time, the cone shaped barrel compensates for this by increasing the tension, by pulling the mainspring tighter, thus ensuring the time remains constant.

    Use of the fusee in clocks was superseded by the "going barrel" in the mid 19th century and for pocket watches at the beginning of the 19th century.

    The fusee continued to be used in marine chronometers until the 1970s.
  • Pair Cased - A pair cased watch is one with a double case. The movement is encased, and for additional protection this is fitted into an outer case.
  • Foliate - Decorated with leaves or leaf-like forms.
  • The Eagle - The eagle has been a symbol of power, victory, and strength for centuries. It is often associated with bravery, prowess, and dominance, and has been used as a symbol by many cultures and civilizations throughout history.

    In ancient Greece, the eagle was associated with the god Zeus, who was considered the king of the gods and the ruler of the skies. In many cultures, the eagle was seen as a messenger between the physical world and the spirit world, and was associated with the sun and the sky.

    In the Roman Empire, the eagle was the symbol of the Roman army, and was displayed on the standards of the soldiers to show the power and authority of the empire. In medieval Europe, the eagle was used as a symbol of power and victory by monarchs and rulers, and was often depicted in art and architecture as a symbol of strength and courage.

    In modern times, the eagle continues to be a symbol of power, victory, and strength. It is often used as a symbol by nations and organisations, and is frequently depicted in art and on monuments to commemorate important events and achievements.

    The eagle's powerful appearance, combined with its association with freedom, courage, and dominance, makes it a popular and enduring symbol of power and victory.
  • Verge Escapement - A verge escapement is an early mechanical escapement used in clocks and other timekeeping devices. It is an early form of the escapement mechanism, which is used to regulate the movement of the hands of a clock or watch. The verge escapement consists of a vertical shaft called the verge, which is mounted on the clock's main plate. Attached to the verge are two pallets, which engage with the teeth of the escape wheel. As the escape wheel turns, the pallets alternately lock and release it, allowing the movement of the clock to be regulated. The verge escapement was widely used in early mechanical clocks, but it was eventually replaced by the more accurate and reliable anchor escapement.
  • Date Aperture - A date aperture is a cut out section in the face of a watch or clock, displaying the day of the month.
  • Back Plate - On many types of clocks, the movement operates between two plates, usually made of brass, one at the back, and the other at the front, which forms a mount for the dial.

    On English bracket, mantle and table clocks the backplate was often visible through a glass door or panel from the late 17th century, and could be profusely engraved with scrolling decorations, flowers, foliage, birds, and figures. The engraving could also include the maker?s name.

    The amount of engraving reduced and became simpler as the 18th century progressed, and by 1800, had been reduced to a border, often with the maker's name in the centre. By the early 1800s all decoration had ceased, and only the maker's name was added, and by the Victorian era, most bracket, mantle and table clocks had no engraving.
  • Movement - The technical name for the workings of a clock or watch, and does not include the dial or case.
  • Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.

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