Edouard Lossier (or Lossière)One of the most esteemed Geneva enamel painters at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. He was employed by the best houses in Geneva, including Patek Philippe. Arnold & Steinwachs, a maker of unique clocks for Gübelin, employed his talent for the painting of miniature enamel scenes after Boucher and Fragonard. Lossier also painted a number of miniatures of landscapes and portraits for the Orient."Dictionnaire des horlogers genevois", by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Antiquorum Editions, 1998.Louis IX (1214-1270)Became King of France when 12 years old. During his reign, France enjoyed unprecedented prosperity and peace. Louis continued the reforms of his grandfather, Philip II, curbing feudal warfare, simplifying the administration of the kingdom, and improving the distribution of taxes.Louis led two crusades. During the first, in 1248, he led an army to the island of Cyprus, and was joined there by 200 English knights. In 1249 they advanced to Egypt and took the city of Damietta, but discipline broke down and Louis was unable to keep the soldiers from looting. Disease ravaged the camp, and in 1250 the army suffered a disastrous defeat at Mansurah and Louis himself was taken prisoner. His Arab captors quickly learned to respect his military and human qualities, and fell into thhabit of kneeling when speaking to him. He and his few surviving companions were released upon the surrender of Damietta, upon payment of a large ransom.