Abraham Fromanteel

Earliest Silver Hallmarks 

The Fromanteel’s, father Ahaseurus and sons John, Ahaseurus II, and Abraham were the most important clock and watchmaking family in English history. The family conducted business in both the Netherlands and England. Abraham was the youngest (b1647) and became free of London’s Clockmakers’ Company in 1680 to help run the London side of the business as his father aged. By the time this watch was cased in 1697, only Ahaseurus II (also working with his brother-in-law, Christopher Clarke, under the name “Fromanteel & Clarke”) and Abraham were still alive - - Ahaseurus II running the business in Amsterdam and Abraham in London.

The study and publication of English case makers and hallmarks to more accurately date, authenticate, and document the history of a watch was the late Philip Priestley’s gift to generations of collectors. Unfortunately, he passed before seeing this watch. We would certainly have had fun and interesting conversations together because this watch contains 1697 hallmarks which are the earliest complete and legible silver hallmarks known (note that earlier hallmarks are known for gold cases). 

Silver champleve dial signed FROMANTEEL in a cartouche with leaves, scrolls and ribbons. Arabic and roman numbers with hour, half-hours, quarter-hours, half-quarters, and minute indications. Split bezel. Cases have 7-knuckle hinges. 

Full Britannia silver hallmarks; London assay date mark for 1697, makers’ mark “BE” (Urian Berrington), and matching movement number 22 stamped on the outside of the inner case. Outer tortoise shell with silver pique work around the circumference and bezel, and silver inlay depicting dolphins, birds and putti in a manner associated with Huguenot work. The forced immigration of Huguenot craftsmen (French Protestants) from Catholic France to Protestant friendly countries including England and the Netherlands took place throughout much of the 17th century.  Number 22 stamped near the pendent recess. 51 mm.