18ct Gold Open Face Pocket Watch with Roman Numerals
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
- Gilding - Gilding is a method of ornamentation whereby a thin sheet of gold metal is applied to items made of wood, leather, ceramics, glass and silver for decorative purposes.
For furniture including mirrors, the sheet of gold is usually applied over a coating of gesso. Gesso is a mixture of plaster of Paris and gypsum mixed with water and then applied to the carved wooden frames of mirrors and picture frames as a base for applying the gold leaf. After numerous coats of gesso have been applied, allowed to dry and then sanded a coat of "bole", a usually red coloured mixture of clay and glue is brushed on and allowed to dry, after which the gold leaf is applied. Over time parts of the gilding will rub off so the base colour can be seen. In water gilding, this was generally a blue colour, while in oil gilding, the under layer was often yellow. In Victorian times, gilders frequently used red as a pigment beneath the gold leaf.
Metal was often gilded by a process known as fire gilding. Gold mixed with mercury was applied and heated, causing the mercury to evaporate, the long-term effect of which was to kill or disable the craftsman or woman from mercury poisoning. The pursuit of beauty has claimed many victims, not the least of which were the artists who made those pieces so highly sought after today.
This item has been included into following indexes:
Visually similar items
Antique 14ct gold fob watch, with open face, bright cut engraved and engine turned decoration. Roman numerals and some discoloration to the dial. Movement S&Co. Back plate base metal Hawley's 237 High Holborn. Case marked 14k T.G. With key and gilt metal c
An English fusee lever pocket watch, key wind and set movement, circular gilded dial with Roman numerals, engraved 18ct gold case, 40 mm diameter. Hallmarked London, 1874-75.
An English 18ct gold open face pocket watch, c.1876, consular case with gold dial and Roman numerals. Fusee and chain lever movement by N. Lawrence N.45179. Width 50 mm. TW 97gms.
A 14ct gold lady's pocket watch, golden dial with Roman numerals, stem wind push piece at 1oclock in a finely engraved case. Working but stops.