5,175 CHF
Sowinski in the Wola Church. M & B, Geneva, made for the Polish market circa 1860. Fine and very rare 18K gold and enamel hunting-cased pocket watch. Four-body, “bassine et filets”, the front engraved and filled with black champlevé enamel after a lithograph by Jean A. Duruy, depicting General Józef Longin Sowinski in the St. Laurence church in Wola, in the background a Russian soldier killing an inhabitant, within a thorn frame, on the front the Polish Eagle and Lithuanian Chase (Pogon Litewska), and Polish and Lithuanian coats of arms within thorn frames, polished band, gold hinged cuvette. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds. Blued steel “spade” hands. 40 mm. (38’’’), frosted gilt bar caliber, 15 jewels, lateral counterpoised lever escapement with hidden ruby pallets, uncut bimetallic balance with flat balance spring. Casemaker’s mark M & B Diam. 45 mm. Notes In the old church house of Wola General Sowinski remained, Old man with a wooden leg, Defending himself with a sword; All around him lie commanders Of battalions with their soldiers, Muskets scattered, broken cannons, Everything is devastated! Juliusz Slowackji, translated by Walter Whipple General Sowinski became a national hero in 1831 defending Warsaw against the Russians in the district of Wola, and dying in the combat.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2003-04-12
