SWISS. A DECORATIVE GOLD, ENAMEL AND PEARL-SET HUNTER CASE KEYWOUND PENDANT WATCH IN FORM OF A VENUS SHELL
Lot 3695

SWISS. A DECORATIVE GOLD, ENAMEL AND PEARL-SET HUNTER CASE KEYWOUND PENDANT WATCH IN FORM OF A VENUS SHELL

UNSIGNED, CIRCA 1820

Closed30 November 2011

Price Realised

HKD 37,500

More Information

How to sell

SWISS. A DECORATIVE GOLD, ENAMEL AND PEARL-SET HUNTER CASE KEYWOUND PENDANT WATCH IN FORM OF A VENUS SHELL
UNSIGNED, CIRCA 1820
Gilt-finished verge movement, chain fusée, white enamel dial, Breguet numerals, hinged within the venus shell-shaped case, translucent royal blue enamel sides over engine-turned background, pearl-set and white champlevé enamel foliage decorated rims, black and white champlevé enamel decorated shoulders and top, unsigned
32 mm. wide

Specialist note

US$3,000-5,000

Such finely enamelled and pearl-set form-watches were particulary popular amongst Chinese ladies and were worn as pieces of jewellery. Often made by the famous watchmakers and goldsmiths in Geneva, the shapes including fruits, flowers, animals, insects and others.

Examples of such form watches are illustrated in The Chinese Watch by Alfred Chapuis, Chapter XIV, "Jewelled Watches". For a similar venus shell-shaped pendant watch see Fantasy Watches - Gems of the Craftman's Art from there Therese Bloch-Bauer Collection by Elisabeth Sturm-Bednarczyk, pp. 52 & 53, pl. 35.