Lot 805
A FINE QUARTER REPEATING GOLD CASED WATCH BY JOSIAH EMERY
Charing cross, London No. 1238 circa 1790. 55mm
The movement with ruby cylinder escapement, chain fusee, bimetallic compensated regulator, pierced and engraved balance cock with diamond end-stone. The movement dumb quarter repeating onto the signed and numbered dust cap.
The interesting enamel dial (cracked) with subsidiary seconds and Arabic numerals. The dial is further painted with a running fox "Tally Ho "and "Raby Hunt"
The watch would probably have originally been in a pair case which was more in keeping with the period. Date hallmark of case obscured but with case maker's marks of SG below a heart for Stephen Gillet, 12, Compton Street, London (stamp registered 13 May 1793). The case may have been updated at the requested of the original owner around 1800-1810.
The movement of the watch is in fairly good condition and should function well after servicing. The escapement functions under pressure.
Together with gold chain and five fob seals with intaglio engraved stones.
Provenance
It is likely that the watch originally belonged to William Harry Vane first Duke of Cleveland of the second creation and third Earl of Darlington (1766-1842) of Raby Castle, Co Durham. Further, that it was inherited by his second wife, Elizabeth Russell (d 1861), who was allowed to choose which of his possessions she wished on his death. She was daughter of Robert Russell of Newton, Yorkshire, from whom the vendors are descended.
The Duke was a notable sportsman and lived at Raby Castle for much of the year. He began to hunt his father's hounds in 1787. His hounds were divided into two packs, one of large breed and one of small, which he hunted on alternate days. He paid considerable sums to his tenants for the preservation of foxes and successfully opposed the first Stockton and Darlington railway in 1820 because in its course it encroached on a favourite covert (DNB).
The seals reflect the ownership of the watch -
· engraved with a fox and Raby Hunt Tally Ho
· engraved with a coat of arms (presumed Russell) which occurs as part of the coat of arms for the Duke and Duchess above a fireplace and bed at Raby Castle
· engraved with a moor's head crest (as on watch) and initials J A R for Capt John Abraham Russell, nephew of the Duchess
· engraved with a coat of arms for St Barbe Sladen, J A Russell's daughter, Emma, married St Barbe Sladen of Heathfield, Reigate
We are grateful to Clare Owen, Curator at Raby Castle, for her assistance in the cataloguing of this lot.
