Watches

Gilt brass watch-cock. Pierced scrolling tendril design with two swan-like birds at top. Matt engraved panel with larger swan in centre. Solid foot engraved with horn and shell forms.

Watch-cocks were used to protect the inner mechanism of a pocket watch. Most of the examples in our collection came from verge watches. They were made by specialist craftsmen from the 1500s until the early late 1800s. Each example had a slightly different design, although there were several key themes. Grotesque faces, vases, scrolling floral designs and birds were particularly popular. Some examples included a jewel-like stone. Watch-cocks were very collectable and people sought out exciting new designs. It even became fashionable to wear jewellery made from watch-cocks during the 1880s.

1700-1830

STKMG:DA.1941.517(19)

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Watch-cock