Lot 408

Joseph Martineau Sen., London, Movement No. 677, Case No. 677, 49 mm, 117 g, circa 1732
A double-cased verge pocket watch of supreme quality, with striking Repoussé outer case; Aesop's Fables
Case: outer case - 22k gold, Repoussé decoration, case maker punch mark "SG" (Stephen Goujon, London). Inner case - 22k gold, case maker punch mark "SG" (Stephen Goujon, London), movement protective cap. Dial: enamel. Movm.: full plate movement, chain/fusee, three-arm brass balance.
The way the outer case has been decorated is quite unusual. Several Repoussé scenes show a selection of fables by Greek story teller Aesop.
The central medallion on the back shows "The Fox and the Goat". Around the edge are four cartouches with more scenes from fables: "The Wolf and the Lamb", "The Bear and the Bees", "The Fox and the Crow", and "The Dog and his Reflection". Between the medallions, trophies of war and foliage scrolls are shown.
Aseop used his fables to describe the behaviour of his fellow men. His aim was to hold a mirror up to them and to use his symbolism to teach people about ethics.
Information available on Joseph Martineau senior is scarce and often contradictory. We know that he was a renowned watchmaker who came to London as a French Huguenot. From around 1744 he worked in Orange Street and then at St. Martins Court until at least 1770. His watches can be seen in many museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York or the Mathematisch Physikalischer Salon in Dresden. 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.

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