Exceptional Horological Works of Art

Geneva, Oct 19, 2002

LOT 143

The Saint Family Auguste Bretonneau, Paris, enamel attributed to Isaac Gribelin, circa 1640. Exceptional large 20K gold and painted on enamel pre balance spring, single hand pendant watch in glazed protective case.

C. Protective: two-body, gilt, glazed, engraved edges. Inner: two-body, "bassine fermée" with curved-in edge, the front cover very finely painted with St. Catherine, the back painted with the Holy Family, St. Joseph giving a flower to the Christ Child, the inside front cover painted with St. John the Baptist holding a cross with a ribbon inscribed with the words "Ecce Agnus Dei" (see John, I, 29), inside the back cover Mary Magdalene with a cross and a Holy Book, the band painted with rural scenes, a castle on a river, a fisherman, a traveler, small enameled pendant. D. Enamel, made of two pieces, the outer white enamel ring with radial Roman numerals and half hours, the center, with a very finely painted young man (possibly David) playing the harp, is mounted within a bezel inside the chapter ring. Gilt "tulip" hand. M. 56 mm. (25???), hinged gilt brass full plate, baluster pillars, fusee and gut, short three-wheel train with 5-leaf pinions, verge escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, flat balance spring, gilt cock secured by a screw, ratchet wheel mainspring set-up, motion work driven by six pins fitted at the end of a large fusee arbor. Signed on the movement. Diam. 65 mm.