Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Oct 13, 2001

LOT 574

Paris Abducting HelenGiacomo Troy, English, made for the Italian market, circa 1730.Very fine silver pair-cased alarm watch.

CHF 8,000 - 12,000

USD 4,800 - 7,300

C. Outer: two-body, the back repoussé with a scene depicting Paris abducting Helen, outer rocaille decoration and further pierced and engraved foliage; the bezel decorated en suite. Inner: two-body, "bassine", with deep back, the band pierced and engraved with inhabited foliage and a single engraved vignette showing a lady playing the mandolin, polished center with small engraved rosette. D. Silver champlevé with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring with arched divisions, inner silver Araic revolving alarm setting disc, aperture between 3 and 4 o'clock for setting the alarm. Blued steel "poker and beetle" hands. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with square baluster pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance-spring, gilt brass English cock pierced and engraved with foliage. Alarm train with engraved gilt brass fixed barrel and revolving arbor, striking on a bell.Signed on the back plate.Diam. 54 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3 - 5 - 6 - 14
Movement: 3 - 5 - 6*
Dial: 3 - 5 - 6 - 01

Notes

This watch is published in the Ruscitti book, as no. 22.Helen and ParisAfter the famous contest of beauty between three goddesses, Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite, the judge, Paris, (son of the King of Troy) was promised the most beautiful woman in the world by the victorious goddess Aphrodite (Venus). This happened to be Helen, the wife of Menelaus, King of Sparta. When Menelaus left for Crete for his grandfather's funeral, Paris seduced Helen and took her to Troy. For his sake Helen abandoned her daughter by Menelaus. The often-seen phrases the "abduction of Helen" oeven the "rape of Helen", are only conventions; for she went with Paris of her own free will, which is clearly represented by the artist on this watch. Herodotus (5th centrury B.C.), recounting the abduction of Helen, remarks "it is stupid after the event to make a fuss about avenging it. The only sensible thing is to take no notice; for it is obvious that no young woman allows herself to be abducted if she does not wish to be." Interestingly, according to one legend, Helen was the fruit of anoher "rape": the seduction of Leda by Zeus, in the form of a swan.