Beschreibung:

A fine Renaissance gilt brass and silver mounted oval pre-hairspring pendant clockwatch Josias Jolly, Paris, circa 1630 The incomplete oval gilt full plate single fusee verge movement with four shouldered baluster pillars pinned through the backplate applied with fine asymmetric floral scroll pierced and engraved balance cock and conforming mainspring barrel set-up ratchet guard, the edge signed Josias, Iolly, AParis, the fine single sheet engraved fire-gilt brass dial with steel hand and centre decorated with scene of the Samaritan woman conversing with Christ at the well within applied silver Roman numeral chapter ring with wheatear half hour markers and fine foliate scroll chased oval surround incorporating a cherub to upper edge over pair of grotesques to sides and a winged cherub mask to lower margin, the two-piece oval section case with delicate leafy wreath engraved decoration to inside of the convex brass front cover incorporating seven-joint hinge block decorated with a winged angel mask opposing conforming fixed convex panel to rear, the waist with gadroon mouldings bordering applied red silk backed scroll pierced and engraved applied silver sound fret collar, the base with inverted finial and clasp opposing pendant cast as a tulip bud to top, (strike train lacking), the movement pillar plate 41mm (1.6ins) by 36mm (1.4ins), the watch 71mm (2.8ins) high to top of suspension post. Provenance: The beneficiaries of the Estate of an Italian connoisseur collector of horological artefacts and works of art. Josias Jolly is recorded in Baillie, Watchamkers & Clockmakers of the World as a Master working in Paris 1609-40. Jolly was a Protestant born in Blois whose surviving work shows significant diversity however he is perhaps now best known for a watch with highly decorated enamel case executed by a member the Toutin school residing in the collection of Walters Art Museum, Baltimore (ex. Demidoff collection). The basic oval form of the current lot is reminiscent of an early 'Puritan' watch, of which an example (signed 'Chapelle' and dating to around 1625) is illustrated in Camerer Cuss, T.P. The Country Life Book of WATCHES on page 15 (plate 7). The addition of the fine decorative pierced silver band (between gadroon mouldings) to the waist of the present watch would have served to allow the sound of the hour bell (formerly fitted within the rear of the case) to be heard as well as cater for the demand for decoration from clients not so concerned with Puritan values. Indeed a similar blind engraved border can be seen on timepiece by Robert Grinkin, London illustrated in Camerer Cuss on page 19 (plate 10). The presence of this band indicates that decoration was as, if not more, important than function. Incidentally the timepiece by Grinkin also exhibits very similar engraved foliate wreath border decoration to the inside of the dial cover. The current lot is particularly rare as it was originally made as a clockwatch. Unfortunately the strike train has now been removed however the going train appears to have survived with no obvious signs of alteration and has a particularly fine fusee. The dial is exquisitely engraved and in fine condition; indeed the general overall condition of the watch would make restoration of the strike train eminently viable and rewarding. Condition report disclaimer