James triple-cased pocket watch with Japanese hours
Date: 1700-1725
Inventory Number: 7935
Classification: Watch
Dimensions:watch - in one case: 5.3 × 4.4 × 2.9 cm (2 1/16 × 1 3/4 × 1 1/8 in.)
watch in two cases: 5.5 × 5 × 3 cm (2 3/16 × 1 15/16 × 1 3/16 in.)
watch, in three cases: 5.7 × 5.6 × 3.4 cm (2 1/4 × 2 3/16 × 1 5/16 in.)
sundial, open: 4.8 × 9.7 × 2.1 cm (1 7/8 × 3 13/16 × 13/16 in.)
sundial, closed: 3.4 × 4.8 × 5 cm (1 5/16 × 1 7/8 × 1 15/16 in.)
chain: 0.5 × 0.9 × 37 cm (3/16 × 3/8 × 14 9/16 in.)
Accessories: winding key
DescriptionThis pocket watch is a triple-case watch formed by an English, silver pair-case watch inside a brass or bronze Japanese case.
triple-cased pocket watch made for the Japanese market.
The outermost case is made of brass or bronze. The exterior is decorated with flowers and tendrils in relief. There are two eyelets--one on each cover. The interior surface of both covers is coated with a shiny black material.
The middle case (or outer case of the pair-case watch) is made of silver with repoussé, Rococo decorations. The interior is lined with green damask fabric.
The inner case has a front cover of crystal or glass and a plain silver back cover with a winding hole. There is a maker's mark stamped inside the rear cover. It is hard to make out the first and last letters, but appears to be "ONNO."
The dial is silver and gilt brass. It has a single hour hand of gilt brass. Minutes are marked 0-60 every 5 with divisions every 1. Hours are on movable tabs shaped like pallet fans, and are in Japanese.
The movement is gilt brass with a verge escapement, fusee, chain, and cylinder. The watch cock and parts of the upper plate are pierced and engraved with strapwork, scrolling acanthus leaves, and a face.
The watch pendant and bow are silver. The bow is stamped with flowers in relief. A silver shackle is attached to bow.
Attached to the shackle is a silvered brass chain with V-shaped links. The other end of the chain is attached to a pocket sundial (CHSI 7934).
(Two brass hang tags marked 4 and 5 are on the sundial and the clock. These are from an earlier inventory of the Ernst Collection.)
The verge spring and other small parts that were replaced during restoration are with the watch in a small polyethylene bag.
Signedengraved on movement: N Z[?] James / London
Historical AttributesThis is an early 18th century, English pair-case silver watch that was adapted for a Japanese market or made for someone who was interested in Japanese culture. The outermost bronze case, chain, and the pocket sundial to which it is connected are likely Japanese and made in the mid-19th century.
ProvenanceHarold Clarence Ernst, MD, Boston, c. 1900-1922 (no. 5); Mrs. Ellen L. Ernst (his widow), Jamaica Plain, MA, 1922; on loan to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1923-1938; gift to Harvard College Observatory, 1938; transfer to CHSI, 1964.