Stock No. : 1036

John Douglas
London, c1720
Silver pair cases
Verge movement

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A large early London verge, with fine silver champleve dial, in silver pair cases.

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, with finely engraved and pierced balance cock and plate. Signed and numbered (505). Wonderfully ornate pillars. All in good original condition. Running well.

DIAL : Fine silver champleve dial in good condition. Signed “DOUGLAS, LONDON”. Nice original 18th century steel hands.

INNER CASE : Silver, no hallmarks, but rubbed maker’s mark IB?. The high dome bull’s eye crystal is in good condition, but the silver case is in average condition.

There are cracks and wear at the base of the stem where it has been reattached to the case. The bow is silver but is a replacement. The bezel has broken at 2 o’clock and is kept in place by the crystal which is glued into the bezel. However the hinge is fine and the bezel does snap shut.

OUTER CASE : Silver pair case. Again no hallmarks, which is normal for silver cases of this period. The hinge and catch are fine and the case closes correctly, although the catch button is missing. There is an old repair on the inside of the back, around the neck, and a number of small bruises to the back of the case and bezel.

This is a fine early London verge, with a wonderful dial. However the cases are in average condition and would benefit from some repairs by a good silversmith.