The Sandberg Watch Collection

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Mar 31, 2001

LOT 246

The Holy FamilyF. Baronneau A Paris, painting on enamel attributable to Robert Vauquer, circa 1640.Magnificent and very rare large 22 ct. gold and enamel pendant watch, with concealed dial.

CHF 120,000 - 160,000

USD 70,000 - 95,000

Sold: CHF 124,500

C. Double-body, 'bassine fermee' with curved-in edge, entirely enamelled with scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child, from engravings after Simon Vouet (1590 - 1649) depicting the Holy Family after their return from Egypt, when they stayed with Elizabeth, a cousin of the Virgin, and her young son St. John the Baptist. Elizabeth, known as an elderly mother, holds Saint John who has a cross made of reeds and who points to a small bird which has been tethered by the mother ofesus. Jesus watches the bird and Saint Joseph stands behind with a book. The theme continues on the cover, with Saint Joseph consulting a book with the words of the prophets and what they foretold. Gold enamelled pendant. D. Silver, with champlevé Roman chapters and inner quarter-hour ring, centre chased and engraved with a floral design. Blued-steel 'tulip' hand. M. 47.5 mm o, hinged, gilt brass full plate, turned baluster pillars, fusee and gut-line for the going train, verge escapement,two-arm steel circular foliot, elongated pierced and engraved gilt cock secured by a screw, ratchet wheel andclick set-up.Signed on the backplate.Diam. 61 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, pages 68-69.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3 - 6
Movement: 3 - 5 - 6*
Dial: 3 - 29 - 04

Notes

Robert Vauquer (1625-1670)was born in Blois, the son of a clockmaker and metal engraver. He served his apprenticeship with Morlière. He and his brother Jacques, who was an engraver, lived and worked their entire lives in Blois. Vauquer was much respected by his contemporaries, Félibien and Bernier greatly praising him, as did Dom Liron in his ' Bibliothèque chartraine '. The abbé de Marolles said ' As for Robert Vauquer, his work pleases us '. A round watch, with the Holy family as principal subject, along with the Chrischild, and incidental hunting scenes, signed ' Vauquer pinxit ', is said to have belonged to Anne d'Autriche. A series of paintings on enamel representing scenes from the Passion, signed ' Robertus Vauquerius Blesensis ', can be admired in the numismatic cabinet of the Vatican, a gift of Pope Leon XII.Baronneau FrançoisBaronneau is recorded as working in Paris, between 1620 and 1649, established in Rue Saint-Jacques, la Boucherie. He was still alive in 1653.