“Keep Me Clean” dial

Stock No. 1395
Charles Denham
Durham, 1824
Silver pair cases, 57.25 mm.
Verge escapement

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MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, with engraved and pierced balance cock. Fully signed and numbered (296).

A few scratches around the pillar tops, but generally in very good condition and running well.

DIAL : Wonderful enamel and gilt “Keep me clean” dial. Brass hands.

This is in excellent condition, with just a couple of tiny flakes around the outer edge of the enamel. It is rare to find these dials in this fine condition, as they usually have at least one crack across the enamel chapter ring. The outer gilt rim is engraved with :

KEEP ME CLEAN AND USE ME WELL.
AND I TO YOU THE TRUTH WILL TELL.

INNER CASE : Silver, hallmarked for Birmingham 1824, maker’s mark JH, and a monogram finely engraved on the back (WJ?).

The case snaps shut nicely and the silver is in excellent condition. The high dome bull’s eye crystal has some scratches and a couple of tiny chips right on the bezel, but nothing serious.

OUTER CASE : Silver case, with matching hallmarks to the inner. The hinge, catch and catch button are fine and the case shuts correctly. The silver has some light bruises on the back, but otherwise in good condition.

Charles Denham is listed at Claypath, Durham between 1821 and 1828.