拍品 351
351
Anon. An historically important early 17th Century gold and enamel verge watch
Anon. An historically important early 17th Century gold and enamel verge watch

LATER MOVEMENT SIGNED JNO. LE ROUX, CHARING CROSS, LONDON, NO. 1677

细节
Anon. An historically important early 17th Century gold and enamel verge watch
Later movement signed Jno. Le Roux, Charing Cross, London, no. 1677
The frosted gilt chain fusee movement with pierced and engraved cock and foot to the edge of the top plate, with verge escapement and separate dust cover, the gold dial plate with polychrome cloisonn enamel floral design, polished gold chaper ring with engraved and filled Roman numerals, (now) with blued steel beetle and poker hands, the gold and enamel case chased and engraved with polychrome floral design with polished highlights and matted background, the design continuing into the bezel, the bezel and glass retained by folded tags, with outer gilt and shagreen case with pin work decoration and painted watch paper, movement signed and numbered
36 mm. diam.

拍品专文

This superbly designed watch case, made circa 1620/30, retains sufficient remnants of polychrome enamel to give a good impression of the quality and beauty of its original condition. Opaque enamels of white, light and dark blue and black are mixed with translucent reds and greens on basse taille backgrounds, altogether forming a wonderful and rare design in high relief. The dial is in more original condition with only two small chips and is an excellent example of pea pod enamel which originated in Germany in the late 16th Century. The glass and bezel are of later date but the hinged rim is original to the case and would appear to have always had a glass; a rare feature in such an early watch. The case is sadly missing its finial and the pendant has been changed, but the seven piece hinge is original.

The mechanism by Le Roux would seem to indicate that the owner wished to give this charming piece a second lease of life as it was most likely made especially for the case and fitted in the mid 18th Century. The shagreen outer case would also originate from this time.