Pocket watches were once rich boys' toys, says Penny Andrews, head of watches at Bonhams, London. They were novelty scientific instruments; the kind of thing you'd buy to show off to your friends. Ironically, in the mid-tolate 1600s, when they first became fashionable, the only people who could afford to buy them weren't governed by time - they lived lives of luxury and leisure.'
Pocket watches evolved over the course of 400 years or so. In building a collection, you can really zoom in on something that interests you. There are so many different makers, styles, cases and types of movement,' says Penny. 'Some buyers are interested in pocket watches' changing technology, while others collect them as miniature works of art - the best watchmakers often collaborated with other top craftspeople to produce cases embellished with enamelwork, or incredible engraving, with stunning results.'
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Denne historien er fra October 2023-utgaven av Homes & Antiques.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Lisa Coppin
The Cotswold Company’s chief creative officer shares the pieces that mean so much to her
TRAVEL
Six of the best pineta, plus a festive trip to Covent Garden. Review of The Orange, Belgravia by Katie Pike, travel stories
OLD SHEFFIELD PLATE
Stumbled upon by chance, this ingenious material was a more affordable option than solid silver, and well-preserved examples are particularly desirable today
Merrily on high
Summoning servants since the 1700s, bell boards create instant English country-house style (even if you don't have any servants). Emma Longstaff dons her pinny
Let it snow
Nostalgic, magical and highly collectable, snow globes are curious objects of wonder that never fail to instil joy
Velvet Crush
Once the preserve of the wealthy, velvet finally touched all levels of society, thanks to advances in its production process
Celebrating in the Stable
Antiques dealer Julia von Hülsen specialises in Gustavian pieces - all of which look perfectly placed in her German home
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
Victorian toy theatres charming and exquisitely designed miniature worlds have inspired theatre royalty for decades. Today, the tradition is being kept alive by a small but talented network of makers
NICHOLAS LEES
The ceramic artist talks to Dominique Corlett about new ways of working with clay and blurring the edges of solid objects
Candy CHRISTMAS
Pastel hues, vintage decorations and bowls of sweet treats: the festive run-up is gloriously joyful at Bettina Færgeman's historic Copenhagen apartment, where there's an emphasis on entertaining...
