Roman Charity” Daniel Poeterik

“Roman Charity” Daniel Poeterik, Dordregk, circa 1730, enamel signed Les freres Huaut, circa 1685, made for the Dutch market. Very fine and rare painted enamel on copper, gilt metal and gold pair-cased watch. Outer: two-body, protective with glazed back, bezels chased and engraved with stylized foliage, inner: two-body, “bassine” with deep back and inward edges, back finely painted on enamel depicting the scene of Roman Charity, band with four vignettes depicting rural scenes, inside painted in a camaieu of ocher, with a grisaille traveler in an Alpine landscape. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute ring with fiveminute Arabic markers, winding aperture at 3 o’clock. Diamond- set hands. 38 mm, hinged, gilt brass full plate with Egyptian pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, flat balance spring, Dutch-style elaborate cock with large pierced and engraved feet, matching plaque over Tompion-type regulator. Signed on the movement, case signed by the painter. Diam. 52 mm. To be sold without reserve Notes Roman Charity The story of “Roman Charity” was a popular subject in art, particularly from the 17th century onward. Major artists, including Peter Paul Rubens and Jean-Baptiste Greuze, painted versions of the scene. The story, recounted in Valerius Maximus’ “Memorable Acts and Sayings of the Ancient Romans”, tells how the aged Cimon was starving in prison prior to his execution. He was secretly visited by his daughter Pero, who