A rare 17th century watch-case modelled as a realistic human skull and inscribed with reminders that death is nigh is to be sold at Tennants Auctioneers on 18th May in the Jewellery, Watches and Silver Sale, with an estimate of £3,000-5,000 (all figures exclude buyer’s premium).
Made of solid silver, this fascinating watch-case is one of several known examples made in the 17th century as memento mori or reminders of the inevitability of death, a theme popular in the arts of the era. Inscribed on the skull are an hourglass and a scythe was well as Latin inscriptions including Incerta Mortis Hora or ‘the hour of death is uncertain’ and Vita Fugit Ut Hora or ‘life flies, like an hour’. A very similar example, possibly made by the same hand, is held in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, and a further example is held in the collection of the British Museum. Whilst the exact origins of these intriguing skulls are unknown, testing of the silver suggests the present skull is Dutch or German in origin and the watch mechanisms present in other examples narrow down the likely area of production to Augsburg in Germany.
Amongst other highlights in the Silver Section of the sale is an interesting group of late 17th and 18th century silver, lead by a William III Silver Punch Bowl made in London in 1697 by Benjamin Pyne (estimate: £3,000-5,000). There is also three lots of English of Art Deco silver from different vendors by Henry George Murphy, which was made in London circa 1930. Murphy was one of the leading silversmiths in the first half of the 20th century, and he was head of silversmithing and principal of London’s Central School of Arts and Crafts as well as founding the Falcon Studios. On offer in the sale are a George V Siver Caster, which is sold together with a similar salt cellar (estimate: 500-800), a Three Piece George V Silver and Niello Dressing Table Service (estimate: £250-350), and a George V Silver and ‘Gem’-Set Cigarette Box (estimate: £400-600).
A good selection of World War II Military watches is offered in the Watch Section of the sale, led by a rare circa 1944 IWC Mark X Military Issue Wristwatch – one of the so called “Dirty Dozen” (estimate: £2,500-3,000). Also of note are a circa 2013 IWC Fliegeruhr Pilots Chronograph (estimate: £2,500-3,000), a 1960s Heuer Game Master ‘Military’ Wristwatch sold together with a 1980s ‘Military’ Wristwatch (estimate: £300-400), and a 2006 18 carat gold Hermès Lady’s Cape Cod Wristwatch (estimate: £400-500). On offer in the Watch Section, too is a rare 1809 Silver Eight Day Duration Verge Pocket Watch with Calendar Display by Jno Hill of London (estimate: £300-500), and a Cartier Enamel and Stainless Steel Alarm Desk Timepiece made circa 2005 (estimate: £300-500).
The sale will be opened by a section of silver jewellery by Georg Jensen, which will include a stylish matching set of ‘Forget-Me-Knot’ Earrings and Brooch designed by Vivianna Torun Bülow-Hübe for Georg Jensen (estimate: £200-300). Colourful jewels are also amongst the highlights of the section, with a Multi-Gem Set Pendant on Chain by Catherine Best (estimate: £600-800), a Multi-Gem Set Bracelet by H. Stearn (estimate: £400-600), and a Citrine and Diamond Brooch (estimate: £400-600). Further highlights include a Pair of Art Deco Style Coral, Onyx and Diamond Drop Earrings (estimate: £400-600), an Art Deco Jade and Diamond Brooch (estimate: £400-600), a Pair of Ruby and Diamond Cufflinks by Hamman & Koch (estimate: £200-300), and an Emerald and Diamond Three Stone Ring (estimate: £400-600).
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