Important Collectors Wristwatches, P...
Geneva, Nov 16, 2008
LOT 728
Cleopatra & Octavian Ilbery, London, No. 6771. Made for the Chinese market, circa 1805. Very fine, 18K gold, painted on enamel and pearl-set pocket watch with center-seconds and duplex escapement.
CHF 120,000 - 160,000
USD 110,000 - 150,000 / EUR 75,000 - 100,000
C. Three-body, "Empire", spring-loaded back finely painted on enamel depicting Cleopatra and Octavian with attendants before a fortress, translucent royal blue enamel border, pearl-set bezels, pendant and bow. Gold sprung cuvette hinged to the movement ring and with engraved decoration. D. Convex white enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute and seconds divisions with fifteen-minute Arabic numerals. Gold heart hands. M. 49 mm., gilt brass, fully engraved "Chinese" caliber, free-standing barrel, single wheel duplex escapement, bimetallic compensation balance with wedge-shaped blued steel weights and temperature adjustment screws, flat steel balance spring, index regulator, diamond endstone. Movement signed and numbered. Diam. 58 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
|
Case: 3-24 |
Good Slightly chipped |
Movement: 3 |
Good |
Dial: 3-01 |
Good HANDS Original |
Notes
Cleopatra & Octavian The defeat of Anthony & Cleopatra by the fleet of Octavian (Augustus) at the battle of Actium was followed by the latter?s invasion of Egypt. Anthony?s forces were again beaten and he committed suicide. According to Plutarch, Octavian visited Cleopatra to comfort her, on which occasion she gave him a list of her treasures.