Important Collectors Wristwatches, P...
Hong Kong,the Ritz Carlton Hotel,harbour Room, 3rd Floor, Nov 25, 2006
LOT 130
?Limoges Enamel Watch & Chatelaine? J(ean) Chambon a Paris, No. 5262. The watch made circa 1775, the chatelaine and decoration made circa 1860. Very fine and rare, Renaissance revival, 18K gold, Limoges enamel, rose-cut diamond and pearl-set pocket watch, chatelaine with a key and seal.
HKD 180,000 - 220,000
USD 23,000 - 28,000 / EUR 18,000 - 23,000
Sold: HKD 306,800
C. Two-body, ?Louis XVI?, the back cover set with a Limoges enamel panel depicting Marie de Medici, rose-cut diamond-set frame,
translucent red enamel border and outer matte gold border decorated with enamel ?C? scrolls, the bezel decorated to match.
Chatelaine: decorated with finely painted Limoges enamel plaques depicting Marie de Medici and Henry IV & fleur-de-lys, translucent
red enamel links, set throughout with rose-cut diamonds with crowns, fleur-de-lys and crosses.
D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals,
outer minute track, Arabic five minute numerals. Rose-cut diamond-set ?fleur-de-lys? hands.
M. 33 mm., gilt full plate, tapered pillars,
fusee and chain, verge escapement with micrometric potence adjustment, three-arm brass balance, flat balance spring, continental
balance cock, polished steel endplate, silver regulation dial.
Movement signed.
Diam. 40 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 3 |
Good |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-45-01 |
Good HANDS Original |
Notes
Named after the town in France where it was invented, it is the technique of "painting" with a special enamel called "blanc de Limoges" over a dark enameled surface to form a detailed picture, often a human figure. Early Limoges pieces are usually painted ?en grisaille?, later pieces generally contain more colors. In the 19th century, as interest in this form of art work grew, enamel masters began to make copies of works from the age of the Renaissance, the present piece is a fine and interesting example of this 19th century revival. In fact, the watch itself does date from the 18th century and has been decorated to match the splendid chatelaine. Under magnification, the portraits have real depth and detail.
Jean Chambon
Was apprenticed in 1762, master in 1766. Worked in Rue Mercier, Paris in 1778.