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Lot Essay
The Maharaja of Patiala was the ruler of the princely state of Patiala in Punjab. The first Maharaja of Patiala was Sardar Ala Singh (1695-1765), who was granted the title by Ahmed Shah Abdali of Afghanistan in 1764.
HH Maharaja Rajendra Singh Bahadur (1872-1900) was a soldier and sportsman and father of the most famous Maharaja of Patial, Bhupinder Singh (1891-1938), a great lover of fine watches and jewelry.
Geneva enamel portraitists specialized in watches decorated with enamel portraits of the relevant purchaser, taken from photographs sent from India. The acknowledged master in the field was John Graff (1836-1902), one of Geneva's most famous enamel portraitists who could catch an incredible likeliness even from the most mediocre documents. He was also renowned for his sense of colour and the astonishing relief of his work. John Graff's fame quickly spread throughout India and the dignitaries would often request his signature on the watches and boxes they ordered. His works were signed "J. Graff" or "J.G." or "Graff".
Five examples of "Rajah Watches" with enamel portraits of high dignitaries signed John Graff are illustrated in Technique and History of the Swiss Watch" by Eugène Jaquet & Alfred Chapuis, plate 139.
HH Maharaja Rajendra Singh Bahadur (1872-1900) was a soldier and sportsman and father of the most famous Maharaja of Patial, Bhupinder Singh (1891-1938), a great lover of fine watches and jewelry.
Geneva enamel portraitists specialized in watches decorated with enamel portraits of the relevant purchaser, taken from photographs sent from India. The acknowledged master in the field was John Graff (1836-1902), one of Geneva's most famous enamel portraitists who could catch an incredible likeliness even from the most mediocre documents. He was also renowned for his sense of colour and the astonishing relief of his work. John Graff's fame quickly spread throughout India and the dignitaries would often request his signature on the watches and boxes they ordered. His works were signed "J. Graff" or "J.G." or "Graff".
Five examples of "Rajah Watches" with enamel portraits of high dignitaries signed John Graff are illustrated in Technique and History of the Swiss Watch" by Eugène Jaquet & Alfred Chapuis, plate 139.