Watch
ca. 1620–25
Medium
Case: silver, partly gilded, and gilded brass; Movement: gilded brass and steel, partly blued
Dimensions
Diam. 1-1/8 in. (2.9 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
17.190.1553
Art Historical Context
This delicate "Watch" by London clockmaker James Vautier, crafted around 1620–25, exemplifies the artistry of early English horology during the Jacobe era. Measuring just 1-1/8 inches in diameter, was a marvel of portability—a luxury pocket watch for the elite, when timepieces were still novelties blending mechanical ingenuity with decorative finesse. The silver case, partly gilded with gilded brass, and the movement of gilded brass and blued steel reflect advanced metalworking techniques, where gilding added opulence and bluing created vibrant, protective blue hues on steel components through...