The Sandberg Watch Collection

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Mar 31, 2001

LOT 266

Jupiter en Pluie d'OrJean Mussard, Geneva, circa 1710, movement by George Richards, London, circa 1735.Very fine and extremely rare 20 ct. gold and enamel watch.

CHF 20,000 - 25,000

USD 12,000 - 15,000

C. Two-body, 'bassine', the back very finely painted with the scene of Danae being visited by Jupiter disguised as a shower of golden rain, the band painted with a continuous river landscape with a traveller and donkey, split engraved gold bezel, gold pendant and loose ring. D. White enamel, Roman hour chapters, outer minute divisions with five-minute Arabic numerals. Gilt 'Louis XVI' hands. M. 35 mm o, gilt brass full plate, square baluster pillars, fusee and chain for the going train, verge esapement, steel three-arm balance, blued-steel spring, one-footed cock pierced and engraved with asymmetrical scrolls and foliage and a flower blossom in the centre, rack and pinion regulator with a silver plate.Signed on the movement, the enameller's signature on the case. Diam. 42 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, pages 122-123.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3 - 6
Movement: 3 - 5 - 6*
Dial: 3 - 6 - 04

Notes

When Acrisius, King of Argos, learned from an oracle that his grandson would dethrone him, he had his only daughter Danaë imprisoned in a tower. Jupiter transformed himself into a shower of gold, which impregnated Danaë. Acrisius subsequently locked the mother and the child, Perseus, in a chest which he cast into the sea.This watch, with its title, 'Jupiter et la pluie d'or', demonstrates that watches were often made and sold with a theme in mind. It is, however, extremely rare to find the title included, as in this case, and, furthermore, accompanied by a signature.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.Mussard Jean V (1681 - 1754)one of the best enamel painters of the beginning of the eighteenth century. He started his career as a goldsmith and became a Master on December 7, 1699. He then turned to enamel painting, in which he was influenced by the style of the Frères Huaud. He went into partnership with his son Jean-Antoine and also trained several pupils, among them Gabriel Fontaine, André Oettner, and in 1712, Germain Colladon. Two of his best-known subjects are the Roman Charity and Religious Scene. His signature appars as: 'Mussard', 'Jean Mussard pinx', Mussard pinx'.'Dictionnaire des Horlogers Genevois', by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Antiquorum Editions, Geneva, 1998.