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Description

Thomas Wordley Ltd, a gentleman's 18ct gold half hunter pocket watch, C1905, signed white dial with Roman numerals, blued steel hands, outer minute marker and subsidiary seconds dial, signed movement, stem wind, casemaker JR and Birmingham hallmarks for 1905, engraved with inscription to interior: 'Presented to the Revd C.S.Ward by the Parishioners of Wootton St Lawrence Nov 1907' and engraved to the inside case ' To his Grandson Rex Whistler' 'To his brother Laurence Whistler', outer case engraved with initials CSW, width 5cm, on a metal chain Provenance: Reverend Charles Slegg Ward, given to his grandson, Rex Whistler, given to his brother, Laurence Whistler, and thence by direct descent to the current owners. The Reverend Charles Slegg Ward (1840 - 1913), vicar of Wootton St Lawrence, near Basingstoke for 30 years, was presented with the watch by his grateful parishioners when he retired in 1907. He wife, Jessy Storr, was the granddaughter of the silversmith, Paul Storr. Their daughter. Helen. married a local builder and estate agent, Harry Whistler, and together they had four children, Jessy, Denis (who died young) Rex and Laurence. Rex Whistler (1905 – 1944) was a precocious draftsman who trained at The Slade, well-known for his murals and society portraits, he was a diverse and popular artist of the interwar years in England, creating theatre designs, illustrations and comic advertisements playing on his wit and humour. His patrons included Edith Sitwell, Cecil Beaton and Edwina Mountbatten. He designed entire rooms full of murals as well as creating architectural improvements and book illustrations. He was killed on the battlefield in Normandy on his first day in action in 1944. The Times received more letters about Rex than about any other victim of that War. Laurence Whistler (1912 - 2000) was devoted to Rex, who taught him much about drawing and architecture. They shared a passion for neo-classical buildings. Having intended to be an architect, Laurence became instead a celebrated glass-engraver, architectural historian, biographer, poet and designer. He was knighted for services to the Arts shortly before his death. Salisbury played a special part in both Rex and Laurence’s lives. Before the war, Rex took lease of the Walton Canonry in the Cathedral Close as a peaceful home for his elderly parents, hoping to join them in a few years. From there, Laurence married the actress, Jill Furse, in the Cathedral just after war was declared in 1939. Salisbury Cathedral’s spire appears in a number of Laurence’s engraved works, including the glass prism in the Cathedral that acknowledges his lifelong debt to his much-loved elder brother. Salisbury Museum is currently hosting the exhibition: Rex Whistler: The Artist and His Patrons (27 th May – 29 th September 2024) and this watch will be included in the exhibition until 5 th July 2024.

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Thomas Wordley Ltd, a gentleman's 18ct gold half hunter pocket watch, C1905, signed white dial with Roman numerals, blued steel hands, outer minute marker and subsidiary seconds dial, signed movement, stem wind, casemaker JR and Birmingham hallmarks for 1905, engraved with inscription to interior: 'Presented to the Revd C.S.Ward by the Parishioners of Wootton St Lawrence Nov 1907' and engraved to the inside case ' To his Grandson Rex Whistler' 'To his brother Laurence Whistler', outer case engraved with initials CSW, width 5cm, on a metal chain Provenance: Reverend Charles Slegg Ward, given to his grandson, Rex Whistler, given to his brother, Laurence Whistler, and thence by direct descent to the current owners. The Reverend Charles Slegg Ward (1840 - 1913), vicar of Wootton St Lawrence, near Basingstoke for 30 years, was presented with the watch by his grateful parishioners when he retired in 1907. He wife, Jessy Storr, was the granddaughter of the silversmith, Paul Storr. Their daughter. Helen. married a local builder and estate agent, Harry Whistler, and together they had four children, Jessy, Denis (who died young) Rex and Laurence. Rex Whistler (1905 – 1944) was a precocious draftsman who trained at The Slade, well-known for his murals and society portraits, he was a diverse and popular artist of the interwar years in England, creating theatre designs, illustrations and comic advertisements playing on his wit and humour. His patrons included Edith Sitwell, Cecil Beaton and Edwina Mountbatten. He designed entire rooms full of murals as well as creating architectural improvements and book illustrations. He was killed on the battlefield in Normandy on his first day in action in 1944. The Times received more letters about Rex than about any other victim of that War. Laurence Whistler (1912 - 2000) was devoted to Rex, who taught him much about drawing and architecture. They shared a passion for neo-classical buildings. Having intended to be an architect, Laurence became instead a celebrated glass-engraver, architectural historian, biographer, poet and designer. He was knighted for services to the Arts shortly before his death. Salisbury played a special part in both Rex and Laurence’s lives. Before the war, Rex took lease of the Walton Canonry in the Cathedral Close as a peaceful home for his elderly parents, hoping to join them in a few years. From there, Laurence married the actress, Jill Furse, in the Cathedral just after war was declared in 1939. Salisbury Cathedral’s spire appears in a number of Laurence’s engraved works, including the glass prism in the Cathedral that acknowledges his lifelong debt to his much-loved elder brother. Salisbury Museum is currently hosting the exhibition: Rex Whistler: The Artist and His Patrons (27 th May – 29 th September 2024) and this watch will be included in the exhibition until 5 th July 2024.

Estimate 1 000 - 2 000 GBP

* Not including buyer’s premium.
Please read the conditions of sale for more information.

Sale fees: 31.2 %

For sale on Wednesday 10 Jul - 10:00 (BST)
wiltshire, United Kingdom
Woolley & Wallis
+4401722424500
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