259,250 CHF
Rousseau à Paris & Les Deux Freres Huaud Les Jeunes, circa 1700. A very fine 20 carat gold and enamel pendant watch. Polychrome enamel on gold, with outer black Roman hour numerals and half hour divisions, the centre painted with a Royal couple. Single bluedsteel hand (non original). Gilt full plate with tapering fluted spiral columns, fusee with chain, four wheel train with verge escapement, plain three-arm polished steel balance with flat spring and Huygens type regulator, large pierced and florally engraved Continental cock. In very good condition. Diam: 41 mm. Notes Rousseau family numbered many, working both in Switzerland and France. A possible maker could be Andre, brother of Pierre Rousseau who is recorded in Paris at the rue Mazzerine in 1705. The Huaud Brothers, Jean-Pierre and Ami worked together from 1682 and worked for the Elector of Brandenburg from 1686 until 1700. Absence of any reference to their appointment in the signature, would indicate that the watch was probably made after their resignation in 1700. The great period of enamelling in France, notably in Blois, was over by this date, and any maker wishing to make a watch with such a case would need to look to Switzerland. The subject depicted on the back of the case - Quantum vis mngnos dolce....... - is taken from an engraving by Crispijn de Passe (1630's), whilst the interior landscape scene is from an engraving by Gabriel Perelle (1603-1677) entitled 'Reins Next to n Large River', (see Hans Boe
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1993-11-14
