Pearl Set Gold and Enamel Cylinder with Chatelaine, circa 1780

Dealer description — Pieces of Time

A late 18 th Century English cylinder in a fine pearl and diamond set gold and enamel case with matching chatelaine. Full plate fusee movement with gilt dust ring. Pierced and engraved round cock, steel regulator on top plate below the plain three arm steel balance. Polished steel cylinder, large brass escape wheel. Winding through the white enamel dial with radially set Arabic numerals, gold arrow hands. Fine gold consular case set with diamonds and pearls. The translucent dark blue enamel bezels bordered by a narrow white enamel band are both set with a single row of large split pearls. The back covered with translucent dark blue enamel over an engine turned ground, applied white metal decoration set with diamonds. In the centre a large diameter diamond bordered by large split pearls. Gold and enamel oval pendant with button to open the sprung front bezel. Fine matching chatelaine, the gilt clip supporting an oval gold and enamel cartouche with a small swag set with diamond chips. A central chain of two gold and enamel rectangular cartouches is flanked by two chains of pearls which support an octagonal cartouche. This gold and enamel cartouche is centred by a small lock of plaited hair withing a border set with diamond chips. The watch is supported by a short chain of two diamond set gold and enamel links terminating in a gold spring clip with threaded safety collar. Four further chains of pearls attach two gold and enamel bells with tassels of pearls with gold cones, a gold and enamel seal and matching key. Later glazed red morocco covered presentation case lined with gray velvet, folding easel stand.