Collector's Pocket Watches, Wristwatc...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Apr 12, 2003

LOT 490

Venus and CupidBlois or Paris, circa 1650.Exceptionally fine and rare gold and painted on enamel oval medallion locket.

CHF 35,000 - 45,000

EUR 24,000 - 31,000 / USD 26,000 - 33,000

Sold: CHF 41,400

Hinged cover very finely painted on enamel with an allegorical scene of Venus and her son Cupid, featuring the traditional attributes - Venus holding the apple and Cupid with a quiver, the back cover with a bouquet of flowers on a blue ground, the border with a repeated pattern, the side with twisted-rope pattern of alternating white and blue enamel with black accents. The inside of the front cover painted with a rabbit hunting scene in pastel colors, the inside of the back with a white and gren enamel pattern. Small pendant covered with blue enamel and black scrolling pattern. Dim. 55 x 42 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3 - 43
Movement: -
Dial: -

Notes

This exceptionally well-preserved piece, with its light pastel palette and lack of half tones, is typical for the period. It is in the manner of the Blois and Paris schools, in which Venus is often represented allegorically. The other side, depicting the rabbit hunt is symbolic of the fact that Venus once revealed to Adonis that rabbit hunting was the only kind of hunting she liked.