Details
IMPORTANT ART DECO CITRINE, DIAMOND, ENAMEL AND GOLD MYSTERY CLOCK
The circular faceted citrine dial encasing rose-cut diamond hands, within a rose-cut diamond, white enamel and gold Roman numeral chapter ring, on a black enamel and gold pedestal and base, with black enamel geometric accents, in a leather fitted case, circa 1925?--5 1/8 x 3½ x 1¾ in.
Signed by Cartier, No. 373
In 1920, the talented Maurice Couet created a second model of mystery clocks for Cartier. Instead of the simple rectangular form of the Model A, this design combines rectilinear and curvilinear shapes reflective of the Art Deco style. Working in collaboration with Charles Jacqueau, Cartier's creative designer, he devised a clock with a round dial supported by a central post mounted on a rectangular base. Actuating mechanisms connect the clock movement inside the base to the rotating dials behind the circular face. Cartier favored onyx for the base while using coral, turquoise, lapis lazuli or, as in the illustrated example, enamel to enframe the dial. Within the first year, this model underwent three variations of which the illustrated clock with its circular citrine dial on an enameled column is the second. R For similar clocks see:
Hans Nadelhoffer, "Cartier Jewelers Extraordinary," New York, 1984, pl. 66.
"Retrospective Cartier 101 Years of Jeweler's Art, Cartier, New York, 1976, pl. 114.
The circular faceted citrine dial encasing rose-cut diamond hands, within a rose-cut diamond, white enamel and gold Roman numeral chapter ring, on a black enamel and gold pedestal and base, with black enamel geometric accents, in a leather fitted case, circa 1925?--5 1/8 x 3½ x 1¾ in.
Signed by Cartier, No. 373
In 1920, the talented Maurice Couet created a second model of mystery clocks for Cartier. Instead of the simple rectangular form of the Model A, this design combines rectilinear and curvilinear shapes reflective of the Art Deco style. Working in collaboration with Charles Jacqueau, Cartier's creative designer, he devised a clock with a round dial supported by a central post mounted on a rectangular base. Actuating mechanisms connect the clock movement inside the base to the rotating dials behind the circular face. Cartier favored onyx for the base while using coral, turquoise, lapis lazuli or, as in the illustrated example, enamel to enframe the dial. Within the first year, this model underwent three variations of which the illustrated clock with its circular citrine dial on an enameled column is the second. R For similar clocks see:
Hans Nadelhoffer, "Cartier Jewelers Extraordinary," New York, 1984, pl. 66.
"Retrospective Cartier 101 Years of Jeweler's Art, Cartier, New York, 1976, pl. 114.