Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Du Rhône, Nov 12, 2006

LOT 305

?Prince Eugene of Savoy? Huaut p., Geneva. Made circa 1705. Fine and rare, painted on enamel portrait of Prince Eugene of Savoy.

CHF 3,000 - 5,000

EUR 2,000 - 3,200 / USD 2,400 - 4,000

Sold: CHF 3,540

Circular, the Prince dressed in gilt-edged armour with a white stock, powdered wig, circular gold frame with ring loop. Signed on the counter-enamel. Diam. 38 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 3--47--50

Good

Period crown

Notes

The Huauds The best-known and most prolific family of enamel painters of their day. They descended from a family of goldsmiths in Châtellerault, France, and emigrated to Geneva. The father, Pierre Huaud I (1612 -1680) He was a protestant who emigrated to Geneva, where he became a "habitant" in 1630. He finished his apprenticeship as a goldsmith with Laurent Légaré in 1634, and soon afterwards became Master goldsmith. In 1661 he served an apprenticeship in enamel painting with Jean André. His three sons became enamel painters as well. Pierre II (1647 ? c.1698) He was apprenticed to his father. In 1685/6 he went to Berlin to work in the service of the Brandenburg Elector. After a brief stay there, he returned to Geneva in 1686. Pierre II went back to Germany at the end of 1689, and in 1691 he was named painter-miniaturist to Frederick I. Jean-Pierre (1655 -1723) and his brother Ami (1657-1724) Became partners from 1682 to 1688. They, like their older brother, were appointed painters to the Court of the Brandenburg Elector in 1686, and went to Berlin where they lived and worked until 1700, at which point they returned to Geneva. Although much of their work was done in partnership, they also often worked alone. Eugene of Savoy Was born on October 18, 1663 in Paris. He was the fifth son of Prince Eugene Maurice of Savoy-Carignano, comte de Soissons, grandson to Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy and Olympia Mancini, niece to the powerful Cardinal Mazarin. There were rumors that his real father was Louis XIV. He quickly distinguished himself in battle and advanced in rank to imperial field marshal at age 29. He fought notably against the Turks in central Europe and the Balkans and against France in the War of the Grand Alliance and the War of the Spanish succession. With his friend the duke of Marlborough, he won the important victory at the Battle of Blenheim (1704) and ousted the French from Italy. In 1718 he won a great triumph over the Turks, taking the city of Belgrade. He later served as governor in the Austrian Netherlands (1714?24). An outstanding strategist and an inspired leader, he was regarded as one of the greatest soldiers of his generation. At his death, in 1736, Eugene was one of the wealthiest men in Europe. His fortune passed to his niece, Princess Victoria of Savoy-Carignan whom he had never met. She sold his extensive library to the Austrian Emperor, and it formed the core of what is today the Austrian National Library.