P. Belon

P. Belon, Paris, circa 1650. Magnificent and rare, 20K gold and enamel single hand pre-balance spring pendant watch. To be sold without reserve. Two-body, "bassine" with curved-in edge, entirely covered with azure enamel, the back centered with a six-petal blossom with yellow and orange center in relief, the edge, bezel and pendant painted with a matching pattern, the yellow and orange centers also in relief, the inside has a center painted with the same flower in grisaille enamel over an azure enamel ground. Gold, radial Roman hour chapter on white enamel background, half-hour dot divisions, azure enamel center. Gilt "tulip" hand. 26 mm, hinged, gilt metal, full plate, turned vase pillars, fusee and gut-line, verge escapement, circular foliot, irregular cock pierced and engraved with wild strawberries, secured by a screw, ratchet wheel and click mainspring set-up with the click base and front matching the cock, short four-wheel train. Signed on the movement. Diam 36 mm. Notes Pierre Belon He became master in 1623, later being appointed Valet de Chambre both to the King and the Queen. His son, also named Pierre, followed in his father's footsteps and also held Royal appointments. He became watchmaker to the Queen in 1645 and to the King in 1649. The present lot was previously sold by Antiquorum Geneva on April 12, 2003, lot 491. The technique of using several layers of enamel to create relief was used when the artist wished to give greater depth to a decor, which w Read more…