Exceptional Horological Sale Celebrat...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Apr 24, 2004

LOT 647

Cleopatra Dissolving the Pearl Joseph Martineau Senior, London, No. 2454, hallmarked 1777-78. Very fine 22K gold pair-cased half-quarter repeating watch.

CHF 10,000 - 12,000

EUR 6,300 - 7,600 / USD 7,800 - 9,400

Sold: CHF 10,925

C. Outer: two-body, repoussé, depicting Cleopatra dissolving the pearl in asymmetrical rococo cartouche. Inner:two-body, "bassine", band pierced and engraved with floral pattern, mask at the front.D. White enamel, radialRoman numerals, outer arcaded minute ring, five-minute Arabic markers. Gold "Louis XV" hands.M. 30 mm,hinged, frosted gilt full-plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, brass balance with flatbalance spring, single-footed cock with diamond endstone, repeating on bell by depressing the pendant, giltbrass dust cap.Signed on the movement.Diam. 50 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3 - 46
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 39

Notes

The subject of Cleopatra and the pearl became a popular subject in art and a number of repoussé watch cases are known to feature it. This case, however, is of a different composition than other known cases. Joseph Martineau Senior was a very capable watchmaker. His watches are to be found in numerous museums. Repeating watches similar to this one are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Pierpont Morgan Collection) and the Mathematische Physikalische Salon in Dresden. He was active between 1744 and 1794, first establishing himself at Orange St., then in St. Martin?s Court.