AN ANTIQUE GEM-SET, GOLD AND ENAMEL PENDANT WATCH

Details

AN ANTIQUE GEM-SET, GOLD AND ENAMEL PENDANT WATCH
The circular white dial with black Roman numerals and blued-steel hands, swivelling to reveal a polished demi-boule, within a hemispherical shaped case with old mine-cut diamond borders, applied with the letters 'F E R T' in red and gold enamel, each enlaced in blue enamel rope detail, suspended by an old European-cut diamond snake's head from a mesh fob chain with a sliding coronet fastener, set with cabochon rubies and rose-cut diamonds, mounted in gold, circa 1840, chain 54 ins.

Provenance

Queen Maria Pia of Portugal

Lot Essay

By repute, this watch and chain once belonged to Queen Maria Pia of Portugal (1847-1911), daughter of King Vittorio Emanuele II of Italy. The letters 'F E R T', on the domed cover, intertwined with blue Savoyard knots are a reference to the Latin "Fortunatus Ejus Rhodum Tenuit" which alludes to Amadeo VI of Savoy, Count of Conteverde who conquered Rhodes.

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