The Sandberg Watch Collection

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Mar 31, 2001

LOT 288

Mars and VenusEnamel painting Blois School, circa 1650, movement by Gossier A Rouen, No. 802, circa 1750.Very fine and early 20 ct. gold and enamel pendant watch.

C. 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, when he heard, enmeshed the lovers in an invisible net. In allegory Mars with Venus can be seen as Beauty and Valour, or the conquest of strife by Love.The cover depicts the Judgement of Paris. Paris is seated, disguised as a shepherd, and Mercury, holding a cadeuceus, 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 rivrside town scene. D. White enamel, Roman hour chapters alternating with gilded trefoils, Arabic minute numerals . Gold 'Louis XV' hands. M. 36.2 mm o, 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.Signed on the movement.Dim. 45 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, pages 86-87.