Live Auction 2496Important Watches
Gradelle. A Rare Early Gilt-Brass Oignon Verge Watch With Hidden Enamel Portrait
Lot 33

Gradelle. A Rare Early Gilt-Brass Oignon Verge Watch With Hidden Enamel Portrait

SIGNED JACQUES GRADELLE, CIRCA 1690

Closed16 December 2011

Price Realised

USD 6,875

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Gradelle. A Rare Early Gilt-Brass Oignon Verge Watch With Hidden Enamel Portrait
Signed Jacques Gradelle, Circa 1690
Gilt-finished full plate verge movement, chain fusée, Egyptian pillars, polychrome enamel portrait of a lady covering the cock and balance, white enamel dial, blue Roman hour numerals, outer Arabic minute numerals, hinged case engraved with decorative scroll and floral motif, the back centered with a classical plinth, column and bust, movement signed
60mm diam.

Specialist note

Jaques Gradelle -Jaques Gradelle was a Master horologist who is recorded as working at the end of the 17th century.
Oignon Gilt - A style of watch made in France in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, with a bulbous onion-like shape. This style of watch was regarded as "popular" in France at that time. Most oignon watches featured a chased brass case, very occasionally in silver and only very rarely in gold.