96th Auction
2017/11/18
Lot 423
Markwick Markham, Exchange London, Movement No. 18480, 200 mm, 3850 g, circa 1780
An impressive, very decorative clock watch with quarter hour and hour self strike, in a triple case - produced for the Ottoman market
Case: outer case – brass, silver, applied shagreen with stud decoration (cracks and small missings). Middle case - silver, open-worked outer rim with floral engraving, engraved military equipment: cannon, drums and banners in a tropical landscape with palm trees and coconuts. Inner case - silver, open-worked outer rim with floral engraving; rear bell, movement protection cap. Dial: enamel. Movm.: full plate movement, 2 barrels, chain/fusee, 2 hammers, three-arm brass balance.
A striking piece of impressive proportions in excellent condition. Markwick Markham produced a large number of watches such as this for the Ottoman market; we are not certain whether the watch somehow found its way back home or whether it was never delivered to its intended destination.
In November 2011 the "sister watch" with quarter repeater and tortoiseshell outer case, no. 18481 was sold at Christie's in Hong Kong for HKD 275.000.
Markwick Markham
James Markwick and his son James were both fine watchmakers and worked in London. The elder was apprenticed on 25 June 1656 to Richard Taylor, and subsequently to Edward Gilpin. He became free of the Clockmakers' Company on 6 August 1666. Six apprentices were bound to him between 1674 and 1699. In 1673 he succeeded the business of Samuel Betts behind the Royal Exchange. Although he held office in the Clockmakers' Company, he was irregular in attendance, ceasing to tend to its affairs after 1700. He worked until at least 1706. His son, James Markwick Jr., became free of the Company in 1692 by patrimony. The younger James Markwick was an eminent maker, Master of the Clockmakers' Company in 1720 and a very early user of jeweled bearings. In later years he was in partnership with his son-in-law Robert Markham, who succeeded him using the trading name of Markwick Markham, which became famous for watches destined for the Turkish market. Not only did this notoriety encourage the appearance of spuriously signed watches, but at the end of the century Markham, or his successor, associated the names of other watchmakers with their own products intended for the East. The makers thus found associated are: Francis Perigal, Peter Upjohn, H. Story, Borrell, John Johnson, Louis Recordon, Dupont. All were reputable watch-makers in their own right, selling other products under their own names.
An impressive, very decorative clock watch with quarter hour and hour self strike, in a triple case - produced for the Ottoman market
Case: outer case – brass, silver, applied shagreen with stud decoration (cracks and small missings). Middle case - silver, open-worked outer rim with floral engraving, engraved military equipment: cannon, drums and banners in a tropical landscape with palm trees and coconuts. Inner case - silver, open-worked outer rim with floral engraving; rear bell, movement protection cap. Dial: enamel. Movm.: full plate movement, 2 barrels, chain/fusee, 2 hammers, three-arm brass balance.
A striking piece of impressive proportions in excellent condition. Markwick Markham produced a large number of watches such as this for the Ottoman market; we are not certain whether the watch somehow found its way back home or whether it was never delivered to its intended destination.
In November 2011 the "sister watch" with quarter repeater and tortoiseshell outer case, no. 18481 was sold at Christie's in Hong Kong for HKD 275.000.
Markwick Markham
James Markwick and his son James were both fine watchmakers and worked in London. The elder was apprenticed on 25 June 1656 to Richard Taylor, and subsequently to Edward Gilpin. He became free of the Clockmakers' Company on 6 August 1666. Six apprentices were bound to him between 1674 and 1699. In 1673 he succeeded the business of Samuel Betts behind the Royal Exchange. Although he held office in the Clockmakers' Company, he was irregular in attendance, ceasing to tend to its affairs after 1700. He worked until at least 1706. His son, James Markwick Jr., became free of the Company in 1692 by patrimony. The younger James Markwick was an eminent maker, Master of the Clockmakers' Company in 1720 and a very early user of jeweled bearings. In later years he was in partnership with his son-in-law Robert Markham, who succeeded him using the trading name of Markwick Markham, which became famous for watches destined for the Turkish market. Not only did this notoriety encourage the appearance of spuriously signed watches, but at the end of the century Markham, or his successor, associated the names of other watchmakers with their own products intended for the East. The makers thus found associated are: Francis Perigal, Peter Upjohn, H. Story, Borrell, John Johnson, Louis Recordon, Dupont. All were reputable watch-makers in their own right, selling other products under their own names.
Sold
estimated
18.000—30.000 €
Price realized
49.600 €