John Ellicott, London, a very fine 18th century 18 carat gold quarter... John Ellicott, London, a very fine 18th century 18 carat gold quarter repeating pocket watch, with gold and diamond presentation outer pair case, circa 1750, number 3999, the inner two piece hinged case pierced and engraved with a bearded grotesque mask amongst scrolling foliage, the inner case with maker's initials JB, probably John Beesley, the repeater piston set with a cushion shaped old brilliant cut diamond in the top, the white enamel dial with black Roman inner hour numerals and black Arabic outer minute numerals, with blued steel hands, the fusee cylinder movement signed Jn Ellicott London and numbered 3999, with engraved and pierced balance cock, blued steel set diamond end stone, three arm undersprung balance, Tompion type regulator, cylindrical pillars striking on a bell, the inner dust cover signed Jn Ellicott and numbered 3999, the inner case 41mm diameter; The outer gold and diamond presentation case back centrally set with a cushion shaped old brilliant cut diamond urn above a ground of repousse decoration and further cushion shaped old brilliant cut diamond accents and swags amongst pireced and chased foliate decoration, the diamond mounts are secured by tapered pins on the inside of the case, the outer case 51mm diameter Provenance: sale, Ball & Graupe, Berlin, 17 December 1927, lot 134, and illustrated on the front cover of the catalogue. Lot 119 in this current sale was also offered in the same Ball & Grape sale as lot 132; private collection Provenance: purchased pieces in Germany in the 1920s, and later in New York in the 1940s John Ellicott (1706-1772) was one of the most exalted clock and watch makers of the 18th century. He gained such a reputation of creating pieces of outstanding beauty and technical excellence, that his clocks and watches were highly regarded and sought after by the aristocracy and monarchs of Europe. Amongst other appointments, John Ellicott became clock maker to George III, and supplied clocks and watches to Ferdinand IV of Spain. An 18 carat gold pocket watch by John Ellicott, watch number 3719, is in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum, (M.63-1954). The inner case of the watch offered here has the identical engraving and decoration to the inner case back and similar movement to the watch by John Ellicott in the V Collection. ** This lot is subject to 5% Temporary Import Duty and the buyer must pay Temporary Import Duty on both the hammer and the buyer's premium at a rate of 5%.
