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Lot Essay
US$100,000-200,000
With Patek Philippe Extract of Archives confirming production of the present watch with silvered dial plate, cloisonné enamel, gilded hour circle and engraved indexes in 1963 and its subsequent sale in 1963.
Patek Philippe's cloisonné enamel dome table clocks are timeless works of art. Each piece is unique with themes that vary from one clock to another. Only the most consummate craftsman is capable of mastering the technique of cloisonné enamel and only a handful of the best enamellers are qualified to work on the prominent curvatures of the dome and panels of the clock.
The theme of this present dome clock takes its inspiration from the rich cultural heritage of the Italian Renaissance which saw an unparalleled rebirth of the arts and sciences, as well as society and government during the late 13th century and to the 16th century. In particular, this period saw the flowering of Renaissance art which produced some of the world's greatest masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Veronese, but to name a few. Inspired by this period of prosperity and cultural achievements, the artist evokes, on the panels of the clock, a society in full efflorescence by depicting a lord on a horse, both in all their fineries, welcomed by his adoring lady, a scene that symbolizes matrimonial harmony and recalls the medieval tradition of courtly love. The doves flying over the dome and ramparts of an Italian city - perhaps Florence - signify peace, while the garlands adorning the palace reflect the prosperity and happiness of its inhabitants. On the dome is the depiction of a page holding an arrow and a crown among flowing ribbons. This figure is the personification of the virtues of courage and valor represented by the arrow while the crown symbolizes power, righteousness, victory and glory.
The clock is also singular in the way the artist chose to infuse modernity in a classical theme by using the Cubist approach to illustrate the scenes. Reminiscent of the paintings of Picasso, Juan Gris and Robert Delaunay, the figures and their background interpenetrate one another in an abstract form while surfaces intersect at random angles to represent a multitude of viewpoints. The visual complexity of the space and volume of the scenes is further enhanced by the delicate palette of the opaque and translucent enamels.
With Patek Philippe Extract of Archives confirming production of the present watch with silvered dial plate, cloisonné enamel, gilded hour circle and engraved indexes in 1963 and its subsequent sale in 1963.
Patek Philippe's cloisonné enamel dome table clocks are timeless works of art. Each piece is unique with themes that vary from one clock to another. Only the most consummate craftsman is capable of mastering the technique of cloisonné enamel and only a handful of the best enamellers are qualified to work on the prominent curvatures of the dome and panels of the clock.
The theme of this present dome clock takes its inspiration from the rich cultural heritage of the Italian Renaissance which saw an unparalleled rebirth of the arts and sciences, as well as society and government during the late 13th century and to the 16th century. In particular, this period saw the flowering of Renaissance art which produced some of the world's greatest masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Veronese, but to name a few. Inspired by this period of prosperity and cultural achievements, the artist evokes, on the panels of the clock, a society in full efflorescence by depicting a lord on a horse, both in all their fineries, welcomed by his adoring lady, a scene that symbolizes matrimonial harmony and recalls the medieval tradition of courtly love. The doves flying over the dome and ramparts of an Italian city - perhaps Florence - signify peace, while the garlands adorning the palace reflect the prosperity and happiness of its inhabitants. On the dome is the depiction of a page holding an arrow and a crown among flowing ribbons. This figure is the personification of the virtues of courage and valor represented by the arrow while the crown symbolizes power, righteousness, victory and glory.
The clock is also singular in the way the artist chose to infuse modernity in a classical theme by using the Cubist approach to illustrate the scenes. Reminiscent of the paintings of Picasso, Juan Gris and Robert Delaunay, the figures and their background interpenetrate one another in an abstract form while surfaces intersect at random angles to represent a multitude of viewpoints. The visual complexity of the space and volume of the scenes is further enhanced by the delicate palette of the opaque and translucent enamels.