57,500 CHF
Swiss, No. 1222, made for the Islamic Market, circa 1880. Very fine and rare 18K gold and enamel, diamond-set hunting cased keyless watch with concealed enamel portrait, the case in the mariner of J. Ferrero. Five body, massive, "bassine ct filets " , bezels and band chased with formal decoration, diamond-set bow and winding-crown designed as a crown, cover and back with blue enamel panel with red flinque foliage decoration on the border and with large rosecut diamonds inlaid in a rosette pattern. The enamel portrait of Abdel Aziz, 32nd Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, grisaille painted, concealed within the back. Hinged gold cuvette. White enamel with blue and red Turkish numerals, the centre decorated with a red rosette. Gold "spade" hands. Notes J. Ferrero Case maker jeweller, able engraver and enameller, he was successor to j. 1.. Simonet & Cie. He settled in Geneva, 19, rue du Rhone in 1854, and specialised in very expensive gold and enamelled watch cases, richly inlaid with diamonds and gems, made for the Chinese, Indian and Islamic markets. He also used to work with Graft, the celebrated portrait painter. J. Ferrero received the highest award at the Chicago Universal Exhibition in 1893 and a gold medal at the Exposition Nationale de Geneve in 1896. He was appointed member of the Jury at the Exposition Universelle de Paris in 1900. Abdul Aziz, born on November 9, 1830, was the 32nd Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, reigning from 1861 to 1876, and died in Constantinop Read more…
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1998-04-18
