Swiss. A very fine and rare 18K gold, enamel and pearl-set openface centre seconds cylinder watch, made for the Chinese Market, enamel in the manner of Victor Dupont

UNSIGNED, CIRCA 1820

Details

Swiss. A very fine and rare 18K gold, enamel and pearl-set openface centre seconds cylinder watch, made for the Chinese Market, enamel in the manner of Victor Dupont
Unsigned, circa 1820
With finely chased and engraved floral and scroll decorated gilt-finished cylinder movement, applied blued steel filigrée scroll decoration to all bridges, glazed dust cover, the white enamel dial with Roman numerals, outer Arabic five minute divisions, sweep centre seconds, the case with pearl-set bezel and rim, translucent polychrome champlevé enamel floral decorated band, blue and black enamel and pearl-set pendant and bow, the reverse centred by a painted polychrome enamel scene in the manner of Dupont, depicting a couple and a young boy, unsigned
57 mm. diam.

Lot Essay

The present watch and its combination of a lavishly decorated case and a high quality movement is the perfect example for a timepiece made for a Chinese dignitary.

The superb quality of the enamel decoration illustrates the celebrated art of enamel miniatures originating from Geneva in the 19th century. It was unusual during that period that an artist would sign his work. The enamel on the present watch however can be attributed to Jean-François-Victor Dupont. Dupont (1785-1863), a renowned enamel painter working in Geneva, was famous for his portraits of eminent personalities (King George IV, Henry VI among others), as well as boxes and watches for the Chinese market. He cooperated frequently with Ilbery and Piguet & Meylan.

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