Lot 107

Higgs Y Evans

Angelique et Medor

An ornamental pair-cased gold enamel verge pocket watch with half-quarter repeater and exceptional striking pattern, made for the Spanish market

Sold

The repeater has an unusual strike pattern, in that the last eighth beats not BEFORE but AFTER the double strike.
The outer case shows a design that is typical for the company Higgs & Evans London. The back features an oval plaque with an exquisitely painted miniature by Angelique et Medor, showing two figures from "Orlando Furioso" by 16th century Italian author Ludovico Ariosto. The scene is set inside two rows of small white enamel pearls and translucent violet enamelling on a wave pattern guilloche ground. Front and back bezels are ornamented with a classic-style frieze of white, red and gold Champlevé enamel. Equally rich decoration embellishes the inner case: The back is engraved with an angry heron surrounded by a cartouche of rocailles. A view of a city on the pendant and a grotesque mask next to the opener complete the period décor. The edge is ornamented with a band of openwork stylised flowers.

Higgs and Evans were highly respected makers of longcase, table clocks and watches. They worked in Sweetings Alley and later in the Royal Exchange. The firm was first established in 1775 and carried on until 1825. They specialised in making clocks for the Spanish market. Examples of their work are included in the Science Museum.