JOHANN KHORNMANN. AN UNUSUAL AND EARLY GERMAN GOLD AND ENAMEL VERGE WATCH

Details

JOHANN KHORNMANN. AN UNUSUAL AND EARLY GERMAN GOLD AND ENAMEL VERGE WATCH
signed Johann Khoremann, Augsburg, 1680

the gilt chain fusee movement with verge escapement, pierced, chased and engraved cock and foot, plain steel balance, finely turned baluster pillars, hinged, the white enamel chapter ring with Roman numerals, colourful floral centre-field, blued steel hand, the reverse with painted scene depicting "Queen Alcyone imploring Juno, the protectress of Marriage, to return her husband, King Ceyx, with Juno's maid, Iris, in the background" (Ovid, Metamorphoses, 11, 578-585), floral enamel decoration to the band in high relief, the inner case with painted scene of a couple strolling in a country landscape on turquoise enamel background, later bezel and later decorated enamel pendant, movement signed- 34mm diam.

Lot Essay

We are indebted to Dr. Hans Boeckh, Geneva, for the identification of the enamel scene.

For further information on this maker, see
G.H.Baillie, Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World, London, 1947, Vol. 1, p. 179, as Johann Georg Khornmann
Jürgen Abeler, Meister der Uhrmacherkunst, Neuss, 1977, p. 336.

This watch is a very beautiful example of Augsburg enamel work including interpretations of Genevan and Blois enamel works.
Geneva and Blois were very famous during that time for its enamel and had its own technique. Germany on the other hand was slightly more experimental and this watch offered for sale is a fine example of such showing a technique of enamel painting on top of the base enamel.

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