Pair Case Watch
Date1789/1790
Retailed by
Standish Barry
1763 - 1844
Maker of Case
Henry Harding
MediumSilver, steel, gold, glass, enamel, coral (?)
DimensionsAssembled Watch: OH: 2 7/8 in.; Diameter: 2 in.; OD: 1 1/8 in.
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number2018-210,1A-C
DescriptionSilver and Gilt Pair Case Watch: 1A: WATCH WORKS, DIAL, AND INNER CASE: gilded silver and steel watch works with enamel dial, two hands, Roman numerals to mark hours and Arabic numerals to mark quarter hours, domed glass, and winding stem with oval hanging bow
1B: DUST COVER: gilded silver and steel dust cover engraved in script lettering “Standish Barry / Baltimore No” 7”
1C: OUTER CASE: sterling silver watch case with iron spring clasp and coral (?) release buttonLabel TextStandish Barry advertised as a silversmith, watch- and clockmaker between 1784 and 1810 in Baltimore, Maryland. While numerous examples of silver bearing his marks survive, this is the only known timepiece associated with him. Like many of his contemporaries, it appears that Barry retailed imported watches, as is the case with this Birmingham-made silver and gilt pair case watch.Inscription(s)1A: WATCH WORKS: Gilded silver watch works engraved in script lettering “Standish Barry No” 7 / Baltimore”
1B: DUST COVER: Gilded silver and steel dust cover engraved in script lettering “Standish Barry / Baltimore No” 7”
Mark(s)1A: WATCH WORKS, DIAL, AND INNER CASE: inner case struck with marks 1) relief anchor for Birmingham assay office; 2) relief date letter “R” for 1789/90; 3) relief sovereign’s head duty mark of George III facing right [rare: used for watch cases 1786-1798]; and 4) incuse “HH” for Henry Harding of Will St., Coventry, Birmingham; 5) relief lion passant and 6) relief export duty mark “S” in oval surround 1C: OUTER CASE: struck with marks: 1) relief anchor for Birmingham assay office; 2) relief date letter “R” for 1789/90; 3) relief sovereign’s head duty mark of George III facing right [rare: used for watch cases 1786-1798]; and 4) incuse “HH” for Henry Harding of Will St., Coventry, BirminghamProvenanceThis watch with associated chain, key, and watch papers, descended in the family of Dr. Eisenhower of Pennsylvania
