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Lot Essay
A similar jaquemarts scene is illustrated in Automata - a Historical and Technological Study by Alfred Chapuis & Edmond Droz, p. 174, pl. 188.
Jaquemarts have a long tradition and figure already in the first edition of the French National Academy's dictionary, which appeared in 1694, with the following definition:
"JAQUEMART. Figure de fer ou de fonte, représentant un homme armé, laquelle on met d'ordinaire sur le haut d'une tour pour frapper les heures avec un marteau sur la cloche de l'horloge." - "Figure made of solid or cast iron representing a man in arms, which is usually put up on top of a (clock) tower to strike the hours with a hammer onto the bell of the clock."
Watches decorated with the miniature versions of these clock tower "men in arms" were very popular in the 19th century.
The present watch shows a representation of Pulcinella, based on the famous 16th century personage of Italy's Commedia dell'Arte, known in many countries under different names such as "Mr. Punch", "Polichinelle" or "Kasperl".
Jaquemarts have a long tradition and figure already in the first edition of the French National Academy's dictionary, which appeared in 1694, with the following definition:
"JAQUEMART. Figure de fer ou de fonte, représentant un homme armé, laquelle on met d'ordinaire sur le haut d'une tour pour frapper les heures avec un marteau sur la cloche de l'horloge." - "Figure made of solid or cast iron representing a man in arms, which is usually put up on top of a (clock) tower to strike the hours with a hammer onto the bell of the clock."
Watches decorated with the miniature versions of these clock tower "men in arms" were very popular in the 19th century.
The present watch shows a representation of Pulcinella, based on the famous 16th century personage of Italy's Commedia dell'Arte, known in many countries under different names such as "Mr. Punch", "Polichinelle" or "Kasperl".