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Denis Martinot II, probably (died 1636)
Elongated octagonal gilt-brass and silver cased verge watch

Movement: Martinot, a paris, c. 1620

case; gilt-brass, silver

case 59.75 mm length case 33.6 mm width case 22.2 mm thickness movement 35.65 mm length movement 30.3 mm width pillar 8.55 mm height

Case: Elongated octagonal gilt-brass and silver case with hinged lid and back. The silver lid has eight small panels around the outside engraved with foliate scrolls, nude figures, a winged cherub's head and a winged heart. In the larger central panel is an engraved depiction of Vulcan Discovering Mars with Venus. The silver back is arranged and decorated in a similar manner to the lid but the central area shows Perseus and Andromeda. The inside faces of the lid and back are gilded and each is decorated with an oval wreath. The gilt-brass frame carries an applied silver band engraved with foliate scrolls and baskets of fruit. Gilt-brass foliate pendant with loose ring. A gilt-brass turned finial at the bottom. Dial: Elongated octagonal dial engraved with scrolling foliage and with a reclining nude angel at the top and a basket of fruit at the bottom. Applied silver chapter-ring with hours I-XII and heart-shaped half-hour marks between two circles. The area within the chapter-ring is engraved with The Rape of Danae. Blued-steel hand with a long tail. The movement and dial are retained in the case by two catches at III and IX. Movement: Elongated octagonal gilt-brass plates with four baluster pillars. Later gilt-brass barrel with ratchet and click set-up. Fusee with gut line and standard stop-work. Three wheel train. Verge escapement - the crown wheel, verge and balance all replacements. The screwed-on counter-potence is not original. Pierced and engraved foliate balance cock pinned to a stud on the back plate. Movement signed: Martinot a paris Probably Denis Martinot II, born c. 1585, Clockmaker to the King 1611, died 1636.

Bequeathed by J. Francis Mallett, 1947.

WA1947.191.41

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