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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Oval watch

Watch by Richard Barnes

Partially verified

This oval watch by Richard Barnes of Worcester dates from 1615-1620. Its construction incorporates a silver and gilt-brass case featuring an engraved lid and back depicting scenes from the Life of Nebuchadnezzar. The silver lid displays the scene of Nebuchadnezzar and the Furnace with an inscription, while the silver back shows Nebuchadnezzar Worshipping the Golden Idol. The gilt-brass dial, which uses an applied silver chapter ring with Roman numerals, is also engraved with biblical imagery. The movement is mounted on oval gilt-brass plates supported by four baluster pillars. It utilizes a fusee for a gut line and a verge escapement. The current balance is noted as a replacement, and the mainspring set-up, originally a ratchet and click mechanism, has undergone alterations including a replaced click and spring.

The lid of the oval watch by Richard Barnes, showing the engraved depiction of Nebuchadnezzar and the Furnace.
The lid of the oval watch by Richard Barnes, showing the engraved depiction of Nebuchadnezzar and the Furnace. — Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collections.vam.ac.uk
Category
Pocket watch · Oval watch
Maker / attribution
Richard Barnes
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
921-1855
Source-reported date
1615-1620
Source-reported place
United Kingdom

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 oval watch is housed in a gilt-brass and silver case, with its exterior surfaces extensively decorated with engraving. The silver lid and back panel illustrate scenes from the Life of Nebuchadnezzar, including the worship of the Golden Idol and the Furnace event, accompanied by corresponding biblical labels. An applied silver band around the case is adorned with foliate scrolls and reclining figures.

The dial is constructed of gilt-brass and engraved with foliate scrollwork and a nude angel figure. Time is indicated on an applied silver chapter ring featuring Roman numerals I-XII and half-hour marks. The central portion of the dial displays an engraving of Nebuchadnezzar alongside a dragon. A single hand, fabricated from blued-steel, indicates the time.

Evidence for this section
  • “The case and dial engraved with scenes from the Life of Nebuchadnezzar.”
  • “An applied silver band is engraved with foliate scrolls and reclining nude figures.”
  • “The silver-lid has a gilt-brass hinge block engraved with a winged cherub's head.”
  • “Applied silver chapter-ring with Roman hours I-XII and arrow-head half-hour marks within two circles.”

Movement and Mechanical Details

The interior mechanism is supported by oval gilt-brass plates held together by four baluster-shaped pillars. Power is regulated by a fusee designed for a gut line, which includes standard stop-work. The gear train consists of three gilt-brass wheels. The movement utilizes a verge escapement; the crown wheel is positioned between a rivetted potence and a screwed-on counter potence.

The watch shows signs of historical repair and alteration. The mainspring set-up originally featured a ratchet and click mechanism, but it currently lacks its wheel and incorporates a replacement click and spring. Additionally, the balance assembly is not original to the watch. A gilt-brass balance cock, which is pinned to a stud on the back-plate, is decorated with pierced foliate engraving.

Evidence for this section
  • “oval gilt-brass plates with four baluster pillars.”
  • “Gilt-brass fusee for gut line with standard stop-work.”
  • “The balance is not original.”
  • “The set-up for the mainstpring was originally ratchet and click with elaborately pierced click but is now lacking its wheel and has replacement click and spring.”

Provenance and Documentation

This object was part of the collection assembled by Ralph Bernal (1783-1854), a British politician who served in the House of Commons. Following Bernal's death, his collection was auctioned by Christie's in 1855. While an initial proposal to purchase the entire collection for the Museum of Ornamental Art was unsuccessful, the institution acquired 730 individual lots, including this watch.

The watch is signed by Richard Barnes of Worcester. The maker's name is engraved directly onto the back-plate of the movement. Research into the collection's provenance confirms its acquisition during the 1855 sale, connecting the object to the broader efforts to populate the early Victoria and Albert Museum collections.

Evidence for this section
  • “Purchased at the auction by Christie's of the collection of Ralph Bernal (1783-1854)”
  • “730 lots were acquired for Marlborough House”
  • “Watchmaker's name engraved on back-plate”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific nature of the missing case catch and could it be reconstructed?
  • What is the full extent of the modifications to the mainspring set-up beyond the replaced click and spring?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Watch by Richard Barnes
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerRichard Barnes“movement by Richard Barnes”
Date1615-1620“1615-1620”
Place of originWorcester“Ri Barnes at Worcester”
Accession number921-1855“921-1855”
Case materialgilt-brass and silver“oval gilt-brass and silver case”
ProvenanceRalph Bernal collection“Purchased at the auction by Christie's of the collection of Ralph Bernal (1783-1854)”

Visible details

  • The gilt-brass hinge block on the silver lid is engraved with a winged cherub's head.
  • The dial includes a single blued-steel hand.
  • The back-plate features an engraving of a 3/4 foliate border with rabbits.
  • A cast and pierced gilt-brass trefoil pendant is attached to the top of the case.

Research qualifications

  • The case catch is missing.
  • The movement's balance is noted as not original.
  • The mainspring set-up is missing its original wheel, with replacement parts present.

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

Consulted source

Watch, Richard Barnes, Worcester, 1615-1620

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record b21038b1e2

Terms in this record

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

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