Museum Collections
Luce Center
Pocket watch
Object Number:
1942.84
Date:
1760-1780
Medium:
Silver, gilt, ceramic, enamel, pearls, other metal
Dimensions:
Overall: 5/8 x 2 1/4 x 3 1/8 in. ( 1.6 x 5.7 x 7.9 cm )
Marks:
engraved: inside reverse, on workings cover: "Eliza Giles"
Description:
Silver gilt open-face pocket watch, white ceramic face (missing crystal) with arabic and Roman numeral hour markings; hour, minute and second hands, face surrounded with 2 rows of seed pearls with blue enamel stripe between, pendant knob and stirrup at the top, with remnants of blue enamel decoration; reverse of case has a flower at the center surrounded by flower petals in imbricated pattern, 2 rows of seed pearls at outer edge with blue enamel stripe between.
Gallery Label:
According to the accession record, this watch was originally given to Captain William Scudder during the Revolutionary War by General Aquila Giles (d. 1822). Captain Scudder supposedly rendered a "great service of kindness" to General Giles, who presented this pocket watch and other pieces of jewelry in gratitude.
Credit Line:
Gift of Miss Lillian Benet
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.