113rd Auction
2025/11/8
Lot 170
Henry WalpoleThe Darius Family facing Alexander
An attractive pair-cased high relief repoussé pocket watch with early cylinder escapement, "à tac" quarter repeater on a bell and "à toc" half quarter repeater
Sold
estimated
2.500—4.000 €
Price realized
5.400 €
specific features
Case
Outer case - 18 K gold, around the edge open work decoration, chased mythological scene in high relief. Inner case - 18 K gold, open work decoration, movement protection cap, rear bell.
Dial
Enamel.
Movement
Full plate movement, chain/fusee, 2 hammers, cylinder escapement, three-arm steel balance.
Diam.48 mm
Circa1760
Ctry.England
Wt.119 g
The quarter repeater "à toc" sits on the inside of the case and is activated by pressing the pendant, while the quarter repeater "à tac" has a bell on the back of the case, and is also activated by pressing the pendant.
In Baillie’s "Watch & Clockmakers of the World" mentions Henry Walpole as a watchmaker in 1756 and also before the registration of his maker’s mark at Goldsmiths' Hall, near Kings Road, Gray's Inn Lane, in 1765.
The last will of Henry Walpole, watchmaker, of St. Andrews, Holborn, was legalized on October 7, 1776.