Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Oct 13, 2001

LOT 619

N.B., Russia, circa 1900.Very fine and rare 18K gold and enamel pearl-set parasol handle fitted with a watch.

CHF 6,000 - 8,000

USD 3,600 - 4,800

Sold: CHF 9,200

C. Slightly tapered cylindrical body covered with violet enamel over wave-pattern engine-turning, three applied gold laurel leaf wreaths, the bottom finished with a gold bezel, the top with a reeded ring supporting the pearl-set watch bezel. D. Translucent dark blue enamel with silver Arabic numerals and outer gold paillon minute dot divisions. Gold "cathedral" hands. M. 21,7 mm, gilt brass, cylinder escapement, plain three-arm balance with blued steel flat balance spring.Stamped on the lower bezel 56 and "H ".Dim. 55 mm long, 26 mm wide.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

Parasol and cane handles were originally sold in fitted boxes and later were mounted on a choice cane or parasol.Russian handles fitted with a watch are very rare, only few are known.The present lot is stylistically similar to a cane handle by Fabergé, bearing the marks of his master artisan Henrik Wingström, which was part of the exhibition organized by A la Vieille Russie of New York at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Design from April 22 - May 21, 1983, lot No. 260. The initials "H " seem to be unrecorded. The piece possibly could come from Britzin, who was one of Fabergé's most important rivals in enamel work. He used mostly pastel colors - green, lightblue, violet, pearl gray and sometimes white. The firm started in 1860, advertised as "Russian enamel", and from about 1900 to 1917 exported to the United States and Britain. It has been suggested Britzin was apprenticed to Fabergé.