Large Silver Pair Cased Automaton

A rare automaton dial watch in silver pair cases.

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, with engraved and pierced balance cock. Four round baluster pillars, blued screws and Bosley type regulator.

Signed F. Denton, ROTHERHAM and numbered 315.

Running well, and in very good condition.

DIAL : Polychrome enamel dial, showing a rural scene. Beautifully painted, with a cottage next to the windmill and the miller standing above the door. The sails on the windmill, which are nicely made in gilt metal, rotate at the top of the mill.

The dial is in excellent condition

Nice gilt hands.

INNER CASE : Silver, with Birmingham hallmarks for 1839, and case maker’s mark JH.

In good condition, with just one small dent on the band below the opening catch and a little wear around the catch. The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut. The high dome bull’s eye crystal is good with just some very light scratches.

OUTER CASE : A silver pair case, with hallmarks and maker’s mark matching the inner.

In very good condition. The catch stud is missing but the catch is still present and the bezel snaps shut correctly.

Frederick Denton is listed at High Street, Rotherham, in 1837.

The case maker is James Heales of Spon Street, Coventry.