Antique Timepiece Drop Spindle No.248 - Circa 1780 England - Hand Painted Porcelain Enamel Watch Dial - Free Shipping (US)

Antique Timepiece Drop Spindle No.248: Rare and One-of-a-Kind - c.1780 Made in England Verge Fusee type Hand Painted (Monochrome) Porcelain Enamel Pocket Watch Dial

WEIGHT: 2.0 ounce (57 grams), WHORL: 2.5" (63mm) dia., SHAFT: - Larger .134 (3.5mm) dia. Steel Shaft x 8.5" (21.6cm) long in Metallic Cobalt Blue

Made from 104 Individual Pieces - this rare and very one-of-a-kind pocket watch dial is the centerpiece of this spectacular drop spindle. The dial, a circa 1780 English Verge Fusee type that's made from porcelain enamel over copper, is hand painted with a quintessential English Countryside/Village scene. It came to me fused to a very broken movement with loose chips and a couple pieces missing. I have restored the pieces and filled in the space with crystals that are absolutely stunning when light is bounced off the surface. The dial is mounted to a 1/8" thick acrylic disc and a large vintage clock gear, which is then mounted to a metallic Enchanted Lilac color steel shaft with an additional large braass watch gear, brass bead cap, and gold and silver plated brass beads - along with an array of 89 Preciosa Light Pink and Crystal AB Crystal Rhinestones mounted top and bottom. The shaft is made from high carbon (spring) steel with a heat forged hook that has a 2-part powder coat paint finish applied for a beautiful look and feel. All components are assembled with an industrial 2-part epoxy glue.

This is a medium weight drop spindle with good rim weight and a very well balanced spin - perfect for spinning long staple and coarse fibers and art yarn, as well as plying fine singles.

FUSEE STYLE MOVEMENTS AND DIALS:  a fusee (from the French fusée, wire wound around a spindle) is a cone-shaped pulley with a helical groove around it, wound with a cord or chain which is attached to the mainspring barrel. Fusees were made throughout Europe and The US and used in portable pocket watches from the early 1600’s - early 1900’s to improve timekeeping by equalizing the uneven pull of the mainspring as it ran down. Fusee movements were eventually fazed out and by the mid 19th century; Swiss and American watchmaking industries exclusively employed the going barrel with the cylinder escapement - significantly improving timekeeping precision. England continued to make the bulkier full plate fusee watches until about 1900.

A wide variety movements were made from the ornately hand carved and pierced/filigree gilt brass movements to less decorated and utilitarian brass and nickel plated alloy movements. Dials were also made in a very wide variety of designs - including fancy silver and gold alloys with ornate carvings, full color/hand painted polychrome works of art on porcelain enamel, common white and colored porcelain enamel dials with hand painted and silkscreen printed numerals and markings, and plated base metal dials.

- FREE SHIPPING - US ONLY - This item processed and shipped within 1 business day: Applies to All US States and Select US Territories and ships via USPS 1st Class Mail. Upgraded/expedited shipping options available at check-out.

- INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING AVAILABLE: I ship to 38 countries and rates are available on this page (top right).

- Hand crafted in Tucson, AZ, by John Galen Gudenkauf (owner/artist) with US and Global Materials.