Lot 238

James Upjohn

Marcus Antonius und Kleopatra

A rare and very fine London high relief repoussé verge pocket watch with quarter repeater in a triple case "Mark Antony and Cleopatra"

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This exquisitely finished pocket watch has a very ornamental, intricately chased outer case of supreme haptic quality, with individual figures that have a unique three-dimensional depth.

James Upjohn was born in 1722 in Shaftesbury and died in 1794 in Hornsey, London. James and his brother Richard both apprenticed with their father Edward Upjohn (1686-1764). After falling out with his father, James Upjohn moved to London in 1743, where he established a very successful business. For a while he supplied some of the most important timepieces delivered to China by James Cox. They were eventually sold to the imperial court and at least two of them are still part of the collection in the Forbidden City. James Upjohn is the most famous member of a watchmaking family in Exeter. He most likely produced his movements in Exeter or at least had them finished there. The Upjohns usually exported their timepieces to the Netherlands.