Skull-form Memento Mori pocket watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Early 19th Century
This early 19th-century English memento mori pocket watch features a distinctive case cast in the shape of a human skull. The exterior surfaces are finished with painted details designed to represent bone.
The top section of the skull is hinged, opening to reveal a white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals and blue-tempered steel hands. Housed within the skull is an English full-plate movement finished with fire gilding. The movement utilizes a fusee and chain drive system and a verge escapement. Decorative elements of the movement include a pierced and engraved balance cock featuring a mask design, accompanied by a silver regulator disk.
The balance is of a simple three-arm steel design, paired with a blue-tempered steel hairspring. The movement plate bears the serial number 497 and the maker's signature.
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
- Memento mori pocket watch
- Hands
- Blue steel
- Maker
- Not specified
- Country
- England
- Escapement
- Verge
- Case Material
- Cast metal
- Serial Number
- 497
- Place recorded
- England
- Movement Finish
- Fire gilt
Design
- Case and Dial
- The watch is housed in a cast-metal case designed as a human skull. The exterior is finished with realistic paint intended to simulate bone texture. A hinged section on the top of the skull allows access to the inner dial. The case shows signs of wear, including paint loss and abrasions consistent with its age.
- Visible features
- • Hinged skull case with painted surface • Convex white enamel dial • Fire-gilt full-plate movement • Pierced and engraved balance cock with mask motif
- Movement and Escapement
- The movement is an English full-plate type finished with fire gilding. It employs a traditional fusee and chain system for power delivery. The balance is a simple three-arm steel construction regulated by a blue-tempered steel hairspring. The escapement is of the verge type. The balance cock is intricately pierced and engraved with a mask motif and includes a silver regulator disk. The movement plates are engraved with the serial number 497 and the maker's name. The auction description indicates that the operational health of the movement was not assessed and notes that collectors should evaluate the condition of the fusee chain and the verge pallets.
- Provenance and Identification
- The object is identified as an English memento mori pocket watch dating to the early 19th century. Its attribution to England is based on the provided catalogue record, which notes the characteristic English full-plate movement construction. The serial number 497 is engraved on the movement plate. The source does not provide specific provenance history for this object, focusing instead on its physical design and technical configuration.
Identification
- Reference
- 497
- Serial number
- 497
- 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: Movement operational state is not reported
- Research required: Requires verification of the integrity of the fusee chain and blade condition