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拍品专文
This precious and exquisite timepiece is an important example of the highly fashionable neoclassical style that followed the architectural designs of the late 18th century. When neoclassicism is translated into a richly decorated gold and gem-set objet de luxe of the highest quality the result is one of supreme elegance.
The present watch was undoubtedly made by the finest Geneva goldsmiths and enamellers of the period and, in common with many Swiss-made pieces, it was retailed to the Turkish market under the English name of ‘Markwick, Markham, Perigal. Unusually, this watch is dated 1781 and bears the initials and crest of its original owner, it is therefore a significant and historic documentary piece.
Markwick Markham
The Markwick and Markham names appear on clocks and watches from the mid-17th to the early 19th centuries. The earliest clockmaker appears to be James Markwick (born about 1640) who was made free of the Clockmakers Company in 1666. His son James took over his father's business in 1696, was Master of the Clockmakers Company in 1720 and formed a partnership with Robert Markham shortly afterwards, it was short-lived as James junior died in 1730. James junior's daughter Catherine married Robert Markham in about 1729.
There are no contemporary directory records of the firm after Markham junior died in 1741. It is after this date that we see many other names written on the dials of clocks and watches in conjunction with Markwick Markham such as with the present watch. As well as Francis Perigal, others such as Louis Recordon, Dupont, Henry Borrell, William Story, Isaac Rogers, Peter Upjohn, Spencer & Perkins, William Kipling and John Johnson all appear. Both Ian White and Kurz cite Felix de Beaujour (A View of the Commerce of Greece, date unknown) writing of the trade with Turkey 'Markwick Markham are fictitious names. It is an old extinct clock manufactory whose name some London makers borrowed lest the Turks should be startled by new names'.
The present watch was undoubtedly made by the finest Geneva goldsmiths and enamellers of the period and, in common with many Swiss-made pieces, it was retailed to the Turkish market under the English name of ‘Markwick, Markham, Perigal. Unusually, this watch is dated 1781 and bears the initials and crest of its original owner, it is therefore a significant and historic documentary piece.
Markwick Markham
The Markwick and Markham names appear on clocks and watches from the mid-17th to the early 19th centuries. The earliest clockmaker appears to be James Markwick (born about 1640) who was made free of the Clockmakers Company in 1666. His son James took over his father's business in 1696, was Master of the Clockmakers Company in 1720 and formed a partnership with Robert Markham shortly afterwards, it was short-lived as James junior died in 1730. James junior's daughter Catherine married Robert Markham in about 1729.
There are no contemporary directory records of the firm after Markham junior died in 1741. It is after this date that we see many other names written on the dials of clocks and watches in conjunction with Markwick Markham such as with the present watch. As well as Francis Perigal, others such as Louis Recordon, Dupont, Henry Borrell, William Story, Isaac Rogers, Peter Upjohn, Spencer & Perkins, William Kipling and John Johnson all appear. Both Ian White and Kurz cite Felix de Beaujour (A View of the Commerce of Greece, date unknown) writing of the trade with Turkey 'Markwick Markham are fictitious names. It is an old extinct clock manufactory whose name some London makers borrowed lest the Turks should be startled by new names'.