Markwick Markham

MARWICK & MARKHAM, London, 18th century A double-cased pocket watch in 18k (750 thousandths) yellow gold, very richly decorated both on the outer case with cut-out and enameled edges on the closing line and on the watch. This abundant decoration is typical of watches dedicated to the Ottoman Empire, the opaque sky blue enamel giving this little oriental taste. The outer case has a plant decoration on opaque green enamel and a lakeside decoration where the mountains can be seen in the distance and a transparent to translucent pinkish-white enamel typical of Geneva creations. This enamel makes it possible to represent the rays of the sun thanks to the Read more guilloché engraving of the back. The watch is decorated on the back case with a bouquet of flowers loaded between peony and forget-me-not. The surround is in opaque blue enamel and also composed of lines of transparent orange enamel on an opaque pink background. Excellent condition of the decorations. Mechanical manual movement with key (not present). Verge escapement movement. Fusee barrel. Plate signed and numbered 2139. Very good condition. Working at the time of the appraisal. Gross weight: 62.5 g. Marwick & Markham were clockmakers and watchmakers who specialized in exporting to the Ottoman Empire. This is particularly noticeable in the style of engraving and decoration of their production. James Markwick, who was Master of the London Clockmakers' Company in 1720, became the business partner of his son-in-law Robert Markham, who succeeded him in 1730. However, even after Markwick's death, the company name retained the associated names. They were later joined by Story, then Borrell and Perigal. Their watches are kept in many museums, including three at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (17.190.1425 a.b; 17.190.1632 a.b; 83.1.78 a-c). Read less