Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

The Ritz-carlton Hotel, Hong-kong, Jun 08, 2002

LOT 411

The Holy FamilyParis or Blois, circa 1650.Extremely fine and rare painted on enamel and gold devotional medallion representing the Holy Family.

HKD 340,000 - 420,000

EUR 50,000 - 61,000 / USD 44,000 - 54,000

Sold: HKD 570,000

C. The horizontal painted on enamel medallion depicts the Holy Family, the Virgin cradling the infant Jesus on her lap and holding a rose in her right hand, with Joseph standing by her side. In the background, a bucolic landscape with antique ruins, frame formed from gold filigree basket pattern with solid centers, gold pendant in the form of a spiraling, twisted ribbon. The back in a delicate pattern formed from soldered and engraved gold of floral and foliate design against a blue enamel groun, with a central rosette composed of oak leaves.Height 6,8 cm. Length 7.4 cm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: -
Dial: -

Notes

The gold frame, with a wide border of filigree flowers, is typical of work done in Paris around 1650.French enamel painters found their inspiration in engravings after works by artists such as Vouet, Dorigny, Poerson, Le Sueur and Stella. During the 17th century, watchmakers and goldsmiths in Paris and Blois rivaled with each other in the creation of watch cases, having obtained permission to work with silver and gold as did goldsmiths.The style and technique of the medallion are reminiscent of the "Anne d'Autriche" coffer from the royal collection, and now in the Louvre. A square watch case with a movement by F.L. Meyboom and an almost identical décor is in the Metropolitan Museum of New York (inv. 17.190.1600).