Pair-case watch
Medium
Outer case: red tortoiseshell with silver inlay; Inner case and champlevé dial: silver
Dimensions
Diameter: 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm)
Classification
Horology
Culture
British, London
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.190.1487a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the exquisite world of 17th-century British horology with this pair-case watch, around 1685–86 by master watchmaker Thomas Tompion and silmith Nathaniel Delander in London. Measuring just 2¼ inches in diameter, it features an outer case of luxurious red tortoiseshell adorned with intricate silver inlays protecting the inner silver case its champlevé dial—a technique where recessed cells in the metal are filled with enamel for vibrant, durable designs. Often featuring expressive faces (as hinted by its tags), the dial exemplifies the period's blend of functionality and ornamentation. ...