Lot 416

Robert Higgs, London, Movement No. 2198, Case No. 2198, 50 mm, 118 g, circa 1748
An important moss agate ensemble of museum quality, consisting of a pair-cased verge pocket watch and a necessaire, each with corresponding chatelaine
Case: outer case - 22K gold, moss agate, diamond thumbpiece. Inner case - 22K gold, case maker's mark "SG" (Stephen Goujon, London), movement protection cap. Chatelaines and necessaire - 22K gold and gilt brass, diamond thumbpiece. Dial: enamel. Movm.: fine full plate movement, keywind, chain/fusee, verge escapement, three-arm brass balance.
The four cases are set with moss agate panels and overlaid with chased rococo gold cage-work of volutes, rocailles, floral scrolls and angel heads.
The necessaire consists of a tapered, bevelled agate etui with 22k gold applied open-work foliate scrolls; the hinged lid is opened by a diamond button. The interior of this fine piece is almost completely preserved and contains a pair of scissors, a small ivory tablet and a small
folding knife.
The smaller, hinged chatelaine is part of the necessaire; it has two scent flasks and is approximately 87 mm long. The larger, four-part chatelaine with later key is 123 mm long and has a figurative agate signet attached.
According to Brian Loomes, Robert Higgs worked at Sweetings Alley in 1743; he later formed a partnership with Evans and also with Peter Higgs around 1770. He was a member of the Clockmakers‘ Company from 1750 to 1769. The case maker Stephen Goujon of Porter Street, corner of Newport Alley, registered his mark in 1720. He was a member of the Clockmakers Company, becoming Master in 1760.