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An exquisite 385-year-old crafted Bouquet – Clocktime News (Published by Famous Publicity)

A rare oval ladies’ watch by David Bouquet 1, circa 1640, having a gilt-brass pre-spring verge movement with engraved pillars, gut line fusee and worm and wheel set up. An oval dial set with octagonal gold mount decorated with enamel tulips and butterflies amongst colourful leaves.

It was exciting to read about an Important Charles I Period Verge Watch London, made by Huguenot maker David Bouquet I, which is currently on the market courtesy of Mayflower Antiques – https://mayflower-antiques.co.uk/product/important-charles-i-period-verge-watch/ . This miniature masterpiece measures just 46mm in length, including the pendant and is 24mm wide.

Very few watches of this period have survived, and of those that have, most have had their original movement removed or replaced by a later one.
Even though the rock crystal case has been knocked, the watch is in remarkable condition, given the age and delicacy. It would have been worn on a chain hung round the neck. In the early development of watches such an item would not have been particularly efficient, needing winding twice a day to maintain accuracy to within about ten minutes.

By the beginning of the 17th century there were a number of foreign clock and watchmakers working just outside the control of the City of London, particularly in the area of Blackfriars, one of the so-called ‘liberties’. Many of these were Huguenot refugees from France who were particularly skilled in the art of engraving, enamelling and lapidary work.

Their existence so near the City had a significant impact on the established clock and watchmaking trade. In 1622 a petition was raised by a group of watchmakers in the Blacksmith’s Company and was sent to King James I in an attempt to prevent them trading and requesting the establishment of a Livery Company for the Clock and Watchmakers of London.

The first record of David Bouquet is in this petition where he is referred to as ‘David Bowkett at Mr. Samsom’s house with two apprentices’ and living in Blackfriars.

Bouquet became a Freeman of the Blacksmith’s Company in June 1628 and subscribed an unspecified sum towards the incorporation of the Clockmaker’s Company in 1630 (as Mr Bucket) later being made a Free Brother of that Company in 1632 and in which he became an Assistant from 1634.

He was a prominent member of the Huguenot church and served as a warden at the French Church in Threadneedle Street for four periods of three years each between 1637 and 1662. He had three sons. David and Solomon, who both became watchmakers, and Hector who was apprenticed to the diamond cutter Isaac Merbert. Bouquet continued to run a prolific workshop in Blackfriars with numerous apprentices until the year of his death, occurring in 1665, a year before the Great Fire of London.

Learn more about Huguenot contributions to London clockmaking at Clocktime Digital Museum – https://clocktime.co.uk/stories/huguenot-makers-london

As you can see, we wish to spread the message about Clocktime to as many individuals as possible throughout the globe. Please feel free to forward this message to friends, family and contacts who you think will find it of interest. Thank you in advance for your kind support.

Published by Famous Publicity – https://famouspublicity.com/

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The Cotswolds Art & Antiques Dealers’ Association Fair 17 – 19 November 2023

The Cotswolds Art & Antiques Dealers’ Association Fair 17th – 19th November 2023 will take place at Compton Verney Art Gallery & park, Warwickshire CV35 9HZ.

Transport: By Road: 6 miles from the M40 (junction 12) on the B4086 between Wellesbourne and Kineton, follow brown signs marked for Compton Verney.

AA signposted to the specially located antiques fair car park, parking free.

The annual Cotswold Art & Antiques Dealers’ Association Fair (CADA)
Click to open your CADA Fair ticket 2023 
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Spring 2023 Newsletter

We are pleased to advise that Mayflower has now been accepted as a member of BADA. We remain longstanding members of LAPADA, CADA and CINOA.

Our aim has always been to present quality, rare and interesting items from our period, and we present below some recent acquisitions which have been added to our website:-

A English silver scissor case c.1680
A English silver scissor case c.1680
A fine and rare French scissor case c.1680
A fine and rare French scissor case c.1680
17 th century French silver winetaster
17th century French silver winetaster
A ruby glass bowl with silver gilt mounts c.1690
A ruby glass bowl with silver gilt mounts c.1690
French Renaissance Tortoiseshell Snuffbox c.1600 – 1620
French Renaissance Tortoiseshell Snuffbox c.1600 1620
A Sri Lankan – Portuguese devotional pendant c.1700
A Sri Lankan – Portuguese devotional pendant c.1700

For some time now we have been expanding our collection of Iberian and Colonial items, and will be showcasing these in a new Catalogue entitled ‘Treasures from the Iberian kingdoms and their Colonies‘.

This collection will be part of our display at the CADA fair later this year. The fair will be held again at Compton Verney, Warwickshire and will run for three days, Friday 17 th , Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th November 2023. Tickets and more details will be posted nearer the time.

We should like to extend our best wishes and thanks to all our clients and friends.

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Our Christmas 2021 Newsletter

Seasons Greetings from Mayflower Antiques

We are pleased to report that the CADA fair held from the 14th to the 17th October 2021 at Compton Verney, Warwickshire was successful for us, resulting in a number of sales. The new venue at Compton Verney was excellent, and we would expect this to become an annual fixture. So, for those clients who were unable to make it this year, do make a note to see us there next autumn.

We are currently working on a new Catalogue to be entitled ‘The Art of Drink’. This will showcase a selection of rare and interesting 16th and 17th century drinking vessels, and will include several new pieces. We hope this will be ready within the next two or three months. We continue to work with The Antique Marketing Company, and the 2Covet, LAPADA and CADA websites to promote our stock.

We send all our clients, contacts and friends our very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.