Details
EXQUISITE ART DECO DIAMOND, CORAL, MOTHER-OF-PEARL AND ENAMEL "SCREEN" DESK CLOCK
The rectangular mother-of-pearl dial depicting a Chinese scene, with rose-cut diamond Roman numeral chapters and hands, within a coral, black enamel, gold and mother-of-pearl case, on black onyx, enamel and gold legs and base, in a leather fitted case, circa 1928--5½ x 4 x 3 in.
Signed by Cartier, Nos. 1667, 0557
During the Art Deco period Cartier produced elegant clocks using stones of strong contrasting colors along with motifs from India, China and Japan. Oriental vignettes softened the sharp colors of onyx, coral, jade, ivory and rock crystal. The illustrated clock epitomizes this new aesthetic, with its dial of mother-of-pearl marquetry depicting an Oriental figure surrounded by black onyx and coral. This model presents a rectangular sulhouette using horizontal coral bands to enframe the dial and onyx lateral struts to connect the dial to the base. It was first introduced in 1922, a year before the more noted Ecran mystery clock of similar design.
For similar clocks see:
Hans Nadelhoffer, "Cartier Jewelers Extraordinary," New York, 1984, pl. 58.
Jader Barracca, Giampiero Negretti and Franco Nencini, "Les Temps de Cartier," Milan p. 177.
The rectangular mother-of-pearl dial depicting a Chinese scene, with rose-cut diamond Roman numeral chapters and hands, within a coral, black enamel, gold and mother-of-pearl case, on black onyx, enamel and gold legs and base, in a leather fitted case, circa 1928--5½ x 4 x 3 in.
Signed by Cartier, Nos. 1667, 0557
During the Art Deco period Cartier produced elegant clocks using stones of strong contrasting colors along with motifs from India, China and Japan. Oriental vignettes softened the sharp colors of onyx, coral, jade, ivory and rock crystal. The illustrated clock epitomizes this new aesthetic, with its dial of mother-of-pearl marquetry depicting an Oriental figure surrounded by black onyx and coral. This model presents a rectangular sulhouette using horizontal coral bands to enframe the dial and onyx lateral struts to connect the dial to the base. It was first introduced in 1922, a year before the more noted Ecran mystery clock of similar design.
For similar clocks see:
Hans Nadelhoffer, "Cartier Jewelers Extraordinary," New York, 1984, pl. 58.
Jader Barracca, Giampiero Negretti and Franco Nencini, "Les Temps de Cartier," Milan p. 177.