Details
A Viennese polychrome enamel desk timepiece
the oval case painted with flowers, with reserves showing vistas to the sides and a scene of naked Venus being dried by an attendant whilst Cupid slumbers at her feet, the concealed interior showing a naked woman removing a thorn from her foot, the whole supported on adorsed dolphins with a palm tree rising between their tails, on domed base painted with scenes of Cupid's encounters with half-draped women to the top and scenic views to the underside, the guilloche enamel dial with rising front glass, painted with Roman chapters against gilt reserves, with incised star to the centre, the fusee movement with engraved back-cock to the balance and signature Joseph Ranna Viene, last quarter 19th century -- 5½in. (14cm.) high
See Colour Illustration (Plate )
the oval case painted with flowers, with reserves showing vistas to the sides and a scene of naked Venus being dried by an attendant whilst Cupid slumbers at her feet, the concealed interior showing a naked woman removing a thorn from her foot, the whole supported on adorsed dolphins with a palm tree rising between their tails, on domed base painted with scenes of Cupid's encounters with half-draped women to the top and scenic views to the underside, the guilloche enamel dial with rising front glass, painted with Roman chapters against gilt reserves, with incised star to the centre, the fusee movement with engraved back-cock to the balance and signature Joseph Ranna Viene, last quarter 19th century -- 5½in. (14cm.) high
See Colour Illustration (Plate )