Important Collectors' Watches, Pocket...
Geneva, Mar 16, 2008
LOT 43
French, German, English and Islamic. Made in the 18th century. Very fine, Berlin ironwork, cut-steel, gilt metal, glass and hardstoneset watch chatelaines, keys, and fob seals.
CHF 4,500 - 6,000
USD 4,000 - 5,400 / EUR 2,800 - 3,700
Sold: CHF 6,000
Comprising: a fine Berlin ironwork chatelaine with matching key and fobs set with agate and faceted glass; a cut-steel chatelaine with key, seal and agate fob; two long cut-steel chatelaines with keys; two short cut-steel chatelaines; a cut-steel and enamel chatelaine, the panels decorated with flowers; a long steel watch chain; four cut-steel single chains; a gilt metal rococo chatelaine; two watch keys (one broken); a fine cut-steel swivel fob set with a faceted aquamarine-colored glass; a very fine large Berlin ironwork swivel fob, one side decorated with a sleeping lion, the other with a man on horseback; fifteen steel and cut-steel fob seals; a steel seal engraved with Islamic text; a cut-steel fob seal and combined key. In good condition, cleaned
Notes
From 1796 to 1850 delicate lace-like jewelry was produced by Prussian Royal iron foundries from molten iron. In 1806 Napoleon defeated Prussia and took patterns from the foundry to Paris. Requests were made by the Prussian Royal family for donations of gold jewelry to help the war effort and in return citizens were given iron jewelry. The castings were treated with linseed cakes which left a black coating on the metal.