Michel Cuper. A fine, large and unusual gilt metal two train openface coach watch with alarm

SIGNED MICHEL CUPER, BLOIS, CIRCA 1625

Details

Michel Cuper. A fine, large and unusual gilt metal two train openface coach watch with alarm
Signed Michel Cuper, Blois, circa 1625
Full plate gilt-finished two train verge movement, chain fusée, finely pierced and engraved floral decorated balance cock and bridges, alarm on one hammer onto a gong, later white enamel dial, Roman numerals, inner Arabic 12 hours indication, single blued steel hand set into the central gilt alarm disc with blued steel alarm hand, large circular case with finely pierced and engraved scroll and floral decorated band, plain back, floral-shaped pendant, movement signed
87 mm. diam.

Lot Essay

The master watchmaker Michel Cuper was a member of the famous clock making family Cuper of Blois. Son of Paul I, also a watchmaker, Michel was the clockmaker and valet the chamber of S.A.R. Gaston d'Orléans. Cuper was active in London in 1625 and in Paris in 1629. Around 1629 he founded a trading company in Constantinople (Istanbul), specializing in watches and jewellery for the oriental market, active until his death in 1633. He was succeeded by his widow Anne Gousset. See Dictionnaire des Horlogers de Bois by Thibaud Fourrier, p. 19.

For a short description and illustration of a coach watch signed Michel Cuper with alarm, possibly the present watch, see Die Kutschenuhr by Lukas Stolberg, p. 234, pl. 279.

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