Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Nov 16, 2008

LOT 246

The Rose Tree Vauchez a Paris, No. 1399. Made circa 1820. Extremely fine and unique, carved mother of pearl and ormolu table clock in the form of a potted rose tree with a caterpillar, butterfly and fly.

CHF 50,000 - 70,000

USD 46,000 - 65,000 / EUR 31,000 - 45,000

Sold: CHF 43,200

C. Naturalistically formed as a rose with carved petals, carved center, ormolu stem with a further unopened rosebud, three painted mother of pearl leaf branches, one mounted with a caterpillar, waisted octagonal mother of pearl pot with ormolu rim and ring-handles, the sides with finely pierced foliate frets and gilt mesh grilles behind, raised on four ormolu scroll feet with leaf terminals. D. Radial black painted Roman numerals on the petals. Blued steel minute hand with realistic fly terminal, the hour hand with butterfly terminal. M. 35 mm., gilt brass, tapered cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement with micrometric potence adjustment, three-arm brass balance, flat balance spring, pierced and chased continental balance cock with polished steel endplate, silver regulation dial. Movement signed, movement ring scratched with repair marks for 1839 and 1890. Dim. 34 x 10 cm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

This extraordinary and charming object is perhaps unique and owes its survival to the fact that it has been in the same English family since it was bought in Paris around 1820. The original buyer of this clock had according to family tradition been at the battle of Waterloo and had stayed in Europe for some years afterwards. The clock was given by this officer to his mistress and it has passed down through the family to the present day. After nearly 200 years, the clock was in a complete but brittle condition and the early adhesives had perished. It was rebuilt and cleaned using all the original parts in 2008. The center of the rose is carved from a solid piece of mother of pearl and the ormolu is of very high quality and retains the original gilding. Of particular note are the insects, the caterpillar, butterfly and the fly, which is extremely realistically made from bronze and shell.
Provenance: An English family, from c. 1820 Thence by descent. Literature: For a clock in the form of a sunflower of the same period but made of bronze, see: Tardy, Le Pendule Francaise, 2me. Partie, p. 231.