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Important Collectors’ Wristwatches Po...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 21, 1995

LOT 917

Wilh. Peffenhauser, Aug., German, circa 1640. Important and exceptionally rare gold, enamel and garnet scallop-shaped pendant watch.

CHF 0 - 0

C. Double body, the frame of gold decorated with polychrome flowers on a white ground, the pendant en suite. Fluted scallop-shaped garnet back cut from a single large stone, the cover to match. D. White enamel on gold with Roman numerals and half-hour dots, the centre with a single flower, the border with polychrome floral sprays. Single gilt brass hand. M. Oval gilt-brass plates, turned balluster pillars, fusee with chain, short train with verge escapement, plain two-arm steel balance without spring. Irregular pierced and florally engraved cock secured by a screw, the matching ratchet wheel setup click with blueesteed wheel and spring. Signed on the movement. In very good condition. Dim: 42 x 22 mm.


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Notes

Provenance: H. Marryat Collection No. B 14. Watch cases carved from precious or semi-precious stones are exceptionally rare, as indeed are large mounted stones of any type from the Renaissance and 17th Century. Only three watches are known to have survived in serai-precious cases, the earliest being discovered in the Cheapside hoard, now in the Museum of London with the hexagonal case cut from a large emerald. The garnet cased watch by Daniel Gom of Lyons, which was sold at Christie's in 1977, and the present example. The supply of large gem stones, particularly semi-precious stones, from India and South America was limited in the 17th Century, but this stone probably came from India or Ceylan as spectographic analysis indicates that is an Almandine, a variety of the garnet family characterised by its purplish red colour. Literature: Court Jewels of the Renaissance 1500-1630, the V&A London, October 1980 p.88 pl. 120, for the emerald watch. Christie's, London February 1977, lot 120, for the garnet watch by Daniel Gom.