Lot Essay
John Champion was active in London from 1730-1779. He produced many decorative watches including one with agate outer case which was in the Imperial Chinese Collection.
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THE PROPERTY OF A LADY
Champion. A very fine and rare 18K gold, agate and gem-set pair case quarter repeating watch
SIGNED JN. CHAMPION, LONDON, NO. 2009, CIRCA 1750
Details
Champion. A very fine and rare 18K gold, agate and gem-set pair case quarter repeating watch
Signed Jn. Champion, London, No. 2009, circa 1750
With gilt-finished verge movement, finely pierced and engraved cock and foot, repeating on two hammers onto a bell, gilt dust cap, the white enamel dial with Roman numerals, blued steel beetle and poker hands, the inner gold case with finely pierced and engraved foliage decorated band, the plain back centred by an engraved bouquet of flowers, the outer gold case with finely engraved and pierced rocaille decoration inset with agate panels, centred by a raised diamond, emerald, ruby and sapphire-set scene depicting a phoenix approaching a pagoda, diamond-set thumb piece, repeating through the pendant, together with Bulgari original fitted presentation box, movement and dust cap signed and numbered, inner case numbered
48 mm. diam.
Signed Jn. Champion, London, No. 2009, circa 1750
With gilt-finished verge movement, finely pierced and engraved cock and foot, repeating on two hammers onto a bell, gilt dust cap, the white enamel dial with Roman numerals, blued steel beetle and poker hands, the inner gold case with finely pierced and engraved foliage decorated band, the plain back centred by an engraved bouquet of flowers, the outer gold case with finely engraved and pierced rocaille decoration inset with agate panels, centred by a raised diamond, emerald, ruby and sapphire-set scene depicting a phoenix approaching a pagoda, diamond-set thumb piece, repeating through the pendant, together with Bulgari original fitted presentation box, movement and dust cap signed and numbered, inner case numbered
48 mm. diam.
Provenance
S. Bulgari Collection, Rome.