Important Collectors Wristwatches, Po...

Geneva, Nov 14, 2009

LOT 76

Alexander and his Physician Philip Swiss, the enamel attributed to Jean-François-Victor Dupont (1785-1863). Very fine, silver-gilt and painted on enamel snuff box.

CHF 9,000 - 13,000

USD 9,000 - 13,000 / EUR 6,000 - 9,000

C. Two-body, concave polished sides, reeded base, hinged lid with foliate thumb-piece and set with a very finely painted on enamel panel depicting Alexander and his physician Philip. Dim. 93 x 60 x 19 mm. From the Collection of an Italian Gentleman


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good

Case: 3-31

Good

Transformations

Notes

Jean-François Victor Dupont (1785-1863) A highly reputed painter on enamel and porcelain. His work includes portraits of King George IV, Henry IV, H-B de Saussure, and others. He painted enamels for Ilbery, destined for the Oriental market. He is known for the beauty and elegance of his work, as well as for his distinctive palette, due to the fact that he mixed his own colors. The remarkable manner in which the figures in the foregrounds seem to advance, giving an impression of depth, is characteristic of his art.
Alexander and his Physician Philip Alexander fell sick, but his physicians would not venture to treat him except for his close friend Philip who administered the medicine. It happened that Alexander had just received a letter from his general Parmenio warning him that Philip had been bribed by Darius to kill him. As a gesture of trust in his friend, Alexander handed him the letter to read at the very moment that he drank the draught: ?a spectacle well worth being present at?, remarked Plutarch.