20,700 CHF
The DilemmaIlbery, London, No. 6338, circa 1820.Very fine 18 ct. gold and enamel watch with a special escapement and centre seconds, made for the Chinese market. Outer: two-body, the spring-loaded back painted with a scene, probably after a contemporary English engraving, of a young girl standing by two seated boys holding a pair of small doves. She is indeed faced with a dilemma, for the boys are in a love with her and demand that she choose one of the doves, and therefore, one of them. Surrounding the oval, painted on enamel medallion, a green translucent enamel ring over engine-turning, then black, red, and finally blue guilloché enamel rings. Theezels, pendant and bow similarly decorated, gold hinged spring-loaded cuvette.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2001-03-31
