THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN

Swiss. A fine and rare 18K gold hunter case minute repeating keyless lever watch with enamel portrait

UNSIGNED, CIRCA 1930

Details

Swiss. A fine and rare 18K gold hunter case minute repeating keyless lever watch with enamel portrait
Unsigned, circa 1930
With gilt-finished jewelled lever movement, bimetallic compensation balance, minute repeating on two gongs, gold cuvette, the white enamel dial with Roman numerals and applied gilt dots, blued steel moon-style hands, subsidiary seconds, the circular case with front cover decorated with a finely detailed hand-painted polychrome enamel portrait of His Highness the Maharaja of Patiala, Sir Bhupinder Singh, bordered by chased and engraved foliage decoration, the reverse decorated with the Coat of Arms for Patiala in yellow, red, blue and white enamel, bordered by chased and engraved foliage decoration, minute repeat mechanism activated by a slide in the chased and engraved band, accompanied by a period Haas Neveux fitted presentation box, unsigned, case and cuvette numbered 34893
48 mm. diam.

Lot Essay

His Highness the Maharaja of Patiala, Sir Bhupinder Singh (1881-1938) was one of the most recognized members of Indian royalty during the height of the British Empire in the early 20th century. He was often photographed wearing the ornate jewels of his familiy made by some of the finest houses of the era.

The present lot is an example of the diversity of luxury items that the Maharaja would have commissioned as gifts for his friends and family.
The famous portrait by Vandyk (taken in 1911) that the enamel miniature is based on, is featured on the cover of Maharaja's Jewels by Katherine Prior & John Adamson.

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