Watch

Watchmaker: Charles Clay British

Not on view

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.

Watch, Watchmaker: Charles Clay (British, 1695–1740), Case: gold and silver; Dial: champlevé gold, British, London

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Watch, Watchmaker: Charles Clay (British, 1695–1740), Case: gold and silver; Dial: champlevé gold, British, London
Watch, Watchmaker: Charles Clay (British, 1695–1740), Case: gold and silver; Dial: champlevé gold, British, London
Watch, Watchmaker: Charles Clay (British, 1695–1740), Case: gold and silver; Dial: champlevé gold, British, London
Watch, Watchmaker: Charles Clay (British, 1695–1740), Case: gold and silver; Dial: champlevé gold, British, London
Watch, Watchmaker: Charles Clay (British, 1695–1740), Case: gold and silver; Dial: champlevé gold, British, London
Watch, Watchmaker: Charles Clay (British, 1695–1740), Case: gold and silver; Dial: champlevé gold, British, London
Watch, Watchmaker: Charles Clay (British, 1695–1740), Case: gold and silver; Dial: champlevé gold, British, London

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