Watch

Charles Clay

ca. 1720 · Case: gold and silver; Dial: champlevé gold · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

A painted enamel scene of Adam and Eve replaces the standard pierced and engraved brass cock for the balance staff on the back plate of this watch. With the ticking of the watch, the silver snake moves around the circumference of the enamel. Automata like this one were often exported to Russia; its probable maker, Charles Clay, is better known for having collaborated with George Frideric Handel in producing a series of musical clocks.

Artist

Charles Clay

Date

ca. 1720

Medium

Case: gold and silver; Dial: champlevé gold

Culture

British, London

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of Joseph W. Drexel, 1889