Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces
Geneva, May 10, 2025
LOT 601
MARS AND VENUS ENAMEL PAINTING BLOIS SCHOOL
CHF 10,000 - 30,000
HKD 95,000 - 286,000 / USD 12,300 - 36,700 / EUR 10,800 - 32,200TO BE SOLD WITHOUT RESERVE
Sold: CHF 10,625
Very fine and rare, 22K gold and painted on enamel early pendant watch.
Double-body, "bassine fermée" with curved band, entirely painted on enamel, the principal scene on the back depicting Mars and Venus after an engraving by Michel Dorigny (1617-1655), from a painting by Simon Vouet (1590-1649). Venus' affair with the god of war was revealed by Apollo to her husband Vulcan who enmeshed the lovers in an invisible net. Allegorically, Mars and Venus can be seen to represent Beauty and Valor, or the vanquishing of strife by Love. The cover depicts the Judgement ofaris. Paris is seated, disguised as a shepherd, and Mercury, holding a caduceus, is seen passing the apple to Venus. The losers, Juno and Minerva, stand to one side, and Venus' modesty is secured by Cupid. The enamel inside the cover has a house in the foreground and a river with a small bridge in the background, the scene inside the back is painted with figures and houses in a landscape, with a town in the background, the band decorated with a continuous riverside town scene.
Double-body, "bassine fermée" with curved band, entirely painted on enamel, the principal scene on the back depicting Mars and Venus after an engraving by Michel Dorigny (1617-1655), from a painting by Simon Vouet (1590-1649). Venus' affair with the god of war was revealed by Apollo to her husband Vulcan who enmeshed the lovers in an invisible net. Allegorically, Mars and Venus can be seen to represent Beauty and Valor, or the vanquishing of strife by Love. The cover depicts the Judgement ofaris. Paris is seated, disguised as a shepherd, and Mercury, holding a caduceus, is seen passing the apple to Venus. The losers, Juno and Minerva, stand to one side, and Venus' modesty is secured by Cupid. The enamel inside the cover has a house in the foreground and a river with a small bridge in the background, the scene inside the back is painted with figures and houses in a landscape, with a town in the background, the band decorated with a continuous riverside town scene.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
|
Case: 3-24 |
Good Slightly chipped |
Movement: 3-6-8* |
Good Slightly oxidized Slightly scratched Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-71-04 |
Good ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION Hairlines HANDS Later |
Brand Gofsier, France
Year Circa 1650 for the case and movement from 1750
Movement No. 802
Material 22K gold
Diameter 45 mm.
Caliber 36.2 mm. ø, hinged, gilt brass full plate, cylindrical pillars, fusee with chain for the going train, verge escapement, plain three-arm brass balance, blued-steel balance spring, pierced and engraved continental cock, rack and pinion regulator with silver plate
Signature Movement
Notes
The subject on the back of the case is after an engraving by Michel Dorigny from a painting by Simon Vouet(1590 - 1649). The painting on this case is the work of an enameller with a distinctive style, but few comparable examples survive.
It was a common practice in the eighteenth century to replace the movement in a particularly expensive or beautiful watch case, in order to take advantage of technological advances in horology. Examples can be found in numerous museums and private collections.
It was a common practice in the eighteenth century to replace the movement in a particularly expensive or beautiful watch case, in order to take advantage of technological advances in horology. Examples can be found in numerous museums and private collections.