115,000 HKD
Geneva, circa 1840. Exceptionally rare 18K gold and enamel diamond-set suite of jewelry comprising: pendant watch, long pearl-set chain, bracelet, brooch, ring, chatelaine, small seal. Contained within an elaborately-shaped tortoise-shell fitted box. The watch: Four-body, "bassine et filets" with coin-edge band, back with translucent Imperial blue enamel over engine-turning, center with diamond-set flowers, gold hinged cuvette. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions. Blued steel Breguet hands. Notes Length 20 mm.Punched with French import marks. Complete suites such as this one are exceptionally rare, and afford a fascinating view of how jewelry was really worn at the time. Thus, we learn that wearing a watch on a châtelaine was still in fashion in the mid-19th century, that watches were worn sometimes on chatelaines, sometimes as pendants on chains, and sometimes as a fob hanging from a brooch. Such sets were very often broken up during estate divisions.This is the first time we have ever seen such a fine and complete set.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2004-06-06
