10,350 CHF
The Triumph of GalateaLewis Ferron, London, circa 1740. Very fine 22K gold, very small quarter-repeating watch. Double-body, the bezel chased with small animals and pierced and engraved with foliage, the back repoussé with a mythological scene depicting Galatea seated on a chariot drawn by dolphins, four outer small landscape vignettes and further pierced and engraved foliage decoration, gilt brass dust cap. Gold champlevé with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring. Elaborate gold "poker and beetle" hands. Hinged gilt brass full plate with turned pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement,plain three-arm brass balance, flat balance-spring, gilt brass English style cock pierced and engraved with a mask and foliage, diamond endstone, repeating on a bell by depressing the pendant.Signed on the dial, dust cap and back plate.Diam. 36 mm. Notes Galateaa sea-nymph, loved Acis, a young Sicilian shepherd. She, in turn, was loved by Polyphemus, a huge, wild Cyclops. In Metamorphoses (13, 750), the lovers Acis and Galatea listen to a love song by Polyphemus, who discovers them and hurls a rock on Acis, killing him, while Galatea disappears into the sea. Acis' blood is transformed into a river, while he becomes the river god. The subject has been popular among artists since the Renaissance. This scene shows Galatea riding across the waves in a charot drawn by two dolphins, laughing at his uncouth song.This watch is published in the Ruscitti book, as no. 24.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2001-10-13
