Silver clock-watch by Henricus Mott
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c. 1640–1660
The Science Museum Group records this silver pair-cased clock-watch as made by Henricus Mott in London, dated circa 1640 in the text and 1660 in metadata. The movement is signed 'Henricus Mott in Drury Lane' and reportedly features a three-wheel going train, verge escapement, worm and wheel set-up, and a screwed-on balance cock.
The inner silver case is pierced and engraved with floral motifs surrounding a central medallion depicting a pastoral scene. The source reports an outer leather case studded in silver with floral and vine patterns, as well as a silver dial engraved with a classical military interior scene.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Early watch (16th–17th century)
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Escapement type
- Verge escapement
- Maker's signature
- Henricus Mott in Drury Lane
- Maker / attribution
- Henricus Mott
- Inner case decoration
- Pierced and engraved with flowers and a pastoral scene
- Clockmakers Museum Number
- 713
Design
- Visible features
- • Pierced and engraved silver inner case back featuring a central circular engraved medallion with a pastoral landscape and architecture. • Central arbor aperture and two offset winding apertures visible on the back cover. • Spherical pendant with a loose suspension ring attached at the top.
- Movement and Maker Details
- The movement is signed 'Henricus Mott in Drury Lane.' Reported technical features include a three-wheel going train, a verge escapement, a worm and wheel set-up, and a screwed-on balance cock. Physical observations of the inner case back reveal a central arbor aperture alongside two offset winding apertures.
- Case and External Decoration
- This pair-cased clock-watch features a silver inner case that is pierced and engraved with floral motifs and a central pastoral scene. A spherical pendant with a loose suspension ring is attached to the top of the case. The source describes an outer case covered in leather and studded with silver in a vine and floral pattern. The silver dial is reported to be engraved with a classical military figure in an interior setting featuring books and a lute.
- Provenance and Documentation
- The object is associated with the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers. Records indicate that Henricus Mott was not a freeman of the organization but paid dues to it. The source record provides conflicting dates for the piece, citing '1660' in the heading and 'c.1640' in the description. The dial, movement, and outer case described are not visible in the available photograph.
Identification
- Object Number
- L2015-3587
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The source gives conflicting dates: '1660' in the heading and 'c.1640' in the description.
- Research required: The movement interior, dial, and outer studded leather case described in the documentation are not visible in this photograph.