The Sandberg Watch Collection

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Mar 31, 2001

LOT 218

Abraham Cusin, Nevers, circa 1630.Magnificent and very rare, silver, gold, gilt metal and enamel, single-hand concealed dial watch in the shape of Order of the Holy Ghost, believed to have once belonged to the King of Poland, John Casimir.

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C. Three-body, 'fermée' type, star-shaped, hinged silver back and front covers embossed and faceted following the shape of the band, the front faceted parts engraved with 18 symbols from the New Testament and scrolling decoration, in the centre an applied gold and azure enamel dove, representing the Holy Ghost, is surrounded by the emblems of the four Evangelists. The back cover, identical in shape to the front, is similarly engraved with different symbols with the Instruments of the Passion. Thband with two gilt metal edges engraved with geometrical decoration, has a centrally applied silver band engraved with foliage and flowers. The inside of the front cover engraved with the Annunciation, the Holy Spirit at the top, the back cover engraved inside with the Nativity in classical setting with the infant Jesus in a manger, the Virgin and St. Joseph on each side, an ox and a donkey behind. D. Silver, following the shape of the case, the applied gilt hour chapter ring with engraved radil Roman chapters and half-hour divisions. The centre engraved with the Adoration of the Magi, the tips engraved with further symbolic representations. Gilt 'arrow' hand with an engraved flower blossom in the centre. M. 36 x 20 mm, following the shape of the case, gilt brass full plate, triangular, pierced vase-shaped pillars, fusee and gut-line, short four-wheel train with five-leaf pinions and arched three-spoke wheels, verge escapement, steel two-arm circular foliot, small elongated cock piercd and engraved in asymmetrical flower decoration secured by a screw, ratchet wheel and click mainspring inside dial ring set-up.Signed on the movement 'ABraham Cusin fecIt'.Dim. 60 x 44 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, pages 368-369.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3 - 6
Movement: 3 - 6*
Dial: 2 - 01

Notes

This is the only watch known to have been made in the form of the Order of the Holy Ghost. The craftsmanship is exquisite, but this is not surprising, for Abraham Cusin was known for his excellent work and was rewarded handsomely, as the records reveal.According to the previous owner (the watch was part of the historic Bellin Collection), it belonged to the Polish King John Casimir (1609, Kraków- 1672, Nevers), who in 1644 was made Cardinal, in 1648 became King of Poland, and who abdicated twenty years later, spending the rest of his life in France. Louis XIV gave him seven abbeys, one of them in Nevers, where he died. He was witty and intelligent but lacked patience and political wisdom. Passionate about clocks and watches, he assembled a coniderable collection. It seems that he was fond of French horology, and in his correspondence there are quite knowledgeable references to new inventions and trends. For example, in 1649 he wrote to a French scientist regarding new 'seconds' clocks.In support of the connection of this watch to the king, it is important to explain the significance of the Order of the Holy Ghost (Ordre du Saint-Esprit). It was established by King Henry III on December 31, 1578, in memory of his accession to the throne of Poland (1573) and France (1574), both on Whitsunday (the seventh Sunday after Easter, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples). Because of Henry's Polish accession, the order, for a short period, was also regarded asolish. For French nationals, the order's membership was limited to 100 people.The Cusinswere a family of French watchmakers whose ancestor, Charles, immigrated from Autun to Geneva, and is considered responsible for introducing watchmaking to that city. He had a relative called Noël, possibly his brother, who was considered one of the most important watchmakers in the city. One of his descendants, Abraham Cusin, settled in Nevers (more or less halfway between Paris and Geneva). He is referred to in the Nevers registers for 1593 and is often mentioned in the Nevers archives, specifially with regard to payments for his clocks and watches, for which he was highly praised. He was also in charge of maintaining the town's tower clock. However, there are also notes of problems relating to his faith as a protestant. It appears that he often encountered difficulties with the catholic inhabitants of the city. His successor in the business returned to the old faith, making a public abjuration before the bishop. There was another Abraham Cusin, also a protestant, who worked in Corbigy in the Autun diocese. A deed dated August 23, 1651, mentions him as a Master horologist, and he is often recorded in the protestant church records of Corbigny, up until 1682. It should be noted that another Abraham Cusin is also recorded as a Master horologist, working in Chesne, Canton of Geneva, and he signed a contract in 1680 for apprenticing Jean Des Arts.Bibliography: 'Mémoires de la Société éduenne des lettres, sciences et arts', Autun, Vol. 16, Autumn 1888.'Dictionnaire des Horlogers Genevois' by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Antiquorum Editions, Geneva, 1998.