5,000 CHF
MELLERIO DITS MELLER - THE HEART Swiss, retailed by Mellerio dits Meller, 9, Rue de la Paix, Paris, No. 9488. Made circa 1850. Fine and rare, 18K gold, enamel and rose-cut diamond-set lady’s pendant watch in the form of a heart with an 18K gold, enamel and rose-cut diamond-set detachable bow brooch. Accompanied by the original Mellerio dits Meller fitted box. Four-body, heart-shaped, band engraved with a repeat pattern, the spring-loaded front cover overlaid with translucent green guilloche enamel, set with a rose-cut diamond fl ower and engraved gold leaves around the border, the back cover decorated to match. Hinged gold heart-shaped cuvette with engraved foliate border. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, gold dial mask engraved with foliage. Blued steel Breguet hands. Heart-shaped, frosted gilt, bar caliber, 8 jewels, cylinder escapement, three-arm balance, fl at balance spring, index regulator. Case punched WS in a lozenge. Dim. 31 x 26 mm. Notes Mellerio dits Meller is the world’s oldest jewelry company. In the 16th century the Melerios became jewellers to Maria de Medici. In 1613, they were given exceptional privileges by the Queen for thwarting an attempt to assassinate the young King Louis XIII. These privileges were renewed by successive Kings & Queens of France until the revolution of 1789. Thanks to their illustrious past, Mellerio became the most famous French jeweler in the 19th century, supplying Empresses Josephine and Eugenie as
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2012-03-11
