A10616
Gold and Shagreen Cylinder by Graham
£7,800.00
Signed
Geo Graham London
Circa 1735
Diameter 51 mm Depth 16 mm
Circa 1735
Diameter 51 mm Depth 16 mm
Out of stock
Description
An 18th Century English cylinder by George Graham in gold and shagreen pair cases. Full plate fire gilt movement with signed gilt dust cover, Egyptian pillars. Fusee and chain with worm and wheel barrel setup between the plates. Pierced and engraved cock with large diamond endstone in a polished steel setting. Plain steel balance, silver regulator disc. Polished steel cylinder, large brass escape wheel. Signed gilt champleve dial with Roman and Arabic numerals, blue steel beetle and poker hands. Plain gold inner case, split bezel. Gilt metal outer case covered in shagreen decorated with gild pique pins in a geometric pattern.
George Graham (1673 - 1751) was one of England's most eminent watchmakers. Apprenticed to Henry Aske in 1688, he worked for Thomas Tompion and later became partners with him. After Tompion's death Graham continued the business in Fleet Street. He developed the cylinder escapement and exclusively used it in watches after 1727. The cylinder retains the original Graham type banking of a pin in the lower plug. Unusually the inner case bears no marks but tests as 18 carat gold.
