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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pocket watch

Silver Niello Pocket Watch by John Bushman

Partially verified

This 17th-century pocket watch is signed by the London-based watchmaker John Bushman, who was active until approximately 1710. The object is constructed from silver with niello decoration. It measures 2 inches (5.1 cm) in diameter. The Metropolitan Museum of Art maintains the watch under accession number 83.1.75, having received it as a bequest from George White Thorne in 1883. The watch face features a central signature plate and Roman numerals for hour indication, with a separate outer ring for minutes marked in increments of five. The movement is enclosed in a casing displaying engraved imagery. The piece serves as a documented example of Bushman's work in the late 17th-century London market, highlighting the aesthetic and technical conventions employed by the maker during his active years in the capital.

Front view of the silver niello pocket watch showing the dial with Roman numerals and signature plate.
Front view of the silver niello pocket watch showing the dial with Roman numerals and signature plate. — The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Pocket watch · Pocket watch
Maker / attribution
John Bushman
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
83.1.75
Source-reported date
17th century
Source-reported place
British

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial Design

The watch features a silver case adorned with niello inlay, incorporating pictorial engraving. The presence of these engravings reflects the decorative practices applied to horological objects during the 17th century in London.

The dial is designed with a clear separation between hour and minute indications. It utilizes a central area for the hour track, marked with Roman numerals, while a distinct outer ring provides minute markers arranged in five-minute increments. The center of the dial holds a decorative metal plate engraved with the maker's signature and the location of manufacture.

Evidence for this section
  • “Silver, niello”
  • “Watch by John Bushman, British, London, 17th century”

Signature and Identification

The watch bears the signature of John Bushman, a watchmaker who operated in London during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The signature is prominently featured on the dial, inscribed on a central decorative plate that identifies the maker and the city of origin. This inclusion of the maker's name on the dial serves as the primary identifier for the object within the museum's decorative arts collection.

Attribution of the piece is based on the recorded information provided by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The documentation notes that John Bushman was born circa 1661 and remained active until approximately 1710. The consistency of this signature with known records of Bushman's output supports its identification as a genuine example of his work.

Evidence for this section
  • “Watch made by John Bushman (British, b. ca. 1661, active until ca. 1710)”
  • “the movement signature and serial number, and the dial signature”

Provenance and Documentation

The object is held by The Metropolitan Museum of Art under the accession number 83.1.75. The museum records indicate that the watch entered the collection as a bequest from George White Thorne in 1883. This provenance information confirms the long-term preservation of the piece within an institutional environment, separating it from the wider market of privately owned timepieces.

The museum classifies the object within its European Sculpture and Decorative Arts department. While the object is documented as a watch, the museum records advise that verifying specific technical attributes, such as case maker marks or movement serial numbers, remains necessary for a complete horological assessment of the individual specimen. The entry remains a verified museum object rather than a retail item.

Evidence for this section
  • “The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds this object as 83.1.75.”
  • “Bequest of George White Thorne, 1883”

Open research questions

  • Does the movement contain a serial number that corroborates the 17th-century date?
  • Are there visible hallmarks on the interior case back that would identify a specific case maker active in London at that time?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Silver Niello Pocket Watch by John Bushman
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJohn Bushman“Watch made by John Bushman”
Date17th century“dated 17th century”
MaterialsSilver, niello“Silver, niello”
Diameter2 in. (5.1 cm)“Diameter: 2 in. (5.1 cm)”
Museum Number83.1.75“83.1.75”
Maker Active Datesuntil ca. 1710“active until ca. 1710”

Visible details

  • The dial displays a signature plate bearing the name 'Bushman' and 'London'
  • The outer rim of the dial features numerals for minutes in intervals of five
  • A pendant ring is attached to the top of the case for attachment to a chain

Research qualifications

  • The source provides minimal technical details regarding the internal movement and escapement mechanism
  • The historical provenance beyond the museum accession date remains limited to basic collection records

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Watch by John Bushman, British, London, 17th century

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 3df865ce72

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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