.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Accompanied by a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with zodiac and enamel portrait in 1916 and its subsequent sale on April 19th, 1919.
The present watch is one of only eight known octagonal-shaped pocket watches to the market. The theme of the present watch is the only known and probably unique.
To the best of our knowledge this watch has never before been offered in public.
Marquis de LaFayette (France, September 6th, 1757-May 20th, 1834)
The Marquis de Layette was a man of two worlds, he fought both during the American Revolution under General George Washington as well as during the French Revolution and the July Revolution and later serviced in the French assembly. Born to an aristocratic family, he began his military career early when at the age of 13 he was commissioned as an officer. LaFayette believed in the American cause and at the age of 19 came to the United States to fight against the British. With his pedigree and background, Lafayette early on met George Washington and the two men soon became friends. He was given an honorary commission as Major General and saw his first battle at Brandywine in September 1777.
Throughout his life time LaFayette was a skilled military officer and representative, he was very much part of the Age of Enlightenment and fought for human rights and liberal nationalist ideology. He was truly a man of the world and upon his death in 1834 was honored when buried at Picpus Cemetery in Paris with a layer of soil from Bunker Hill placed beneath his coffin.
The present watch is one of only eight known octagonal-shaped pocket watches to the market. The theme of the present watch is the only known and probably unique.
To the best of our knowledge this watch has never before been offered in public.
Marquis de LaFayette (France, September 6th, 1757-May 20th, 1834)
The Marquis de Layette was a man of two worlds, he fought both during the American Revolution under General George Washington as well as during the French Revolution and the July Revolution and later serviced in the French assembly. Born to an aristocratic family, he began his military career early when at the age of 13 he was commissioned as an officer. LaFayette believed in the American cause and at the age of 19 came to the United States to fight against the British. With his pedigree and background, Lafayette early on met George Washington and the two men soon became friends. He was given an honorary commission as Major General and saw his first battle at Brandywine in September 1777.
Throughout his life time LaFayette was a skilled military officer and representative, he was very much part of the Age of Enlightenment and fought for human rights and liberal nationalist ideology. He was truly a man of the world and upon his death in 1834 was honored when buried at Picpus Cemetery in Paris with a layer of soil from Bunker Hill placed beneath his coffin.