57,500 CHF
Unsigned, attributed to the Jaquet-Droz workshop, made for the Chinese Market, circa 1780. Very fine 18K gold and enamel, egg-shape, centre seconds watch with special escapement. Double body, the front of honey translucent enamel decorated in a stripped pattern with a paillonne foliage decoration on the border, the back enamelled with a very fine painted scene of a maiden with her servant, dancing and playing the Bacchante in a park while her child plays the flute, paillonne foliate frame and outer translucent blue enamel over engine-turning (slightly restored). Hinged shaped gold cuvette. Eccentric white enamel with Roman numerals and outer minute and seconds ring. Gold skeleton hands. Shaped gilt brass, Lepine calibre fully engraved with foliage, with free standing barrel, virgule escapement with plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring and regulator. In very good condition. Dim. 82 x 52 mm. Notes By its style, the decoration of the case, the shape of the hands and the calibre used for the movement, this watch is very similar to those made at the same period by Jaquet-Droz for the Chinese Market and was certainely produced in Switzerland by the workshop of this celebrated maker. By the time this watch was made, Jaquet-Droz was the most eminent workshop in Switzerland for watches sold in China or presented to the Emperor or to Chinese dignitaries coming to Europe on official business. Since at this period he did not have any direct agent in China, he had to r Read more…
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1996-10-12
