Important Watches, Collectors’ Wristw...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Nov 14, 2004

LOT 266

Playing at Thread the Needle F. L. Godon, the enamel painting attributable to the workshop of J-L Richter, Geneva, circa 1820. Very fine and rare elliptical 18K gold and enamel snuff box with concealed watch

CHF 15,000 - 18,000

EUR 10,000 - 12,000 / USD 12,000 - 14,000

Sold: CHF 18,400

C. Three-body, two hinged covers, the larger one with a painted enamel scene of children at play, the smaller one with a boy with hisdog watching them, after "Playing at Thread the Needle", an engraving by Francesco Bartolozzi (1725-1815) from a painting by WilliamHamilton (1751-1801). Champlevé enamel border with a repeated geometrical pattern in azure and blue, the sides of Imperial bluetranslucent enamel over engine-turning, centred by a champlevé rosette in azure and black enamel within an engraved gold border. D.Shield-shaped, white enamel circle on a blue ground, Breguet numerals, small azure circle at the bottom with an index regulator. Blued-steelBreguet hands. M. Shield-shaped, gilt brass full plate, fixed barrel, cylinder escapement, brass escape wheel, plain three-armbrass balance, flat balance spring, rack and pinion regulator extending to the dial.Signed on the movement, box stamped with later French gold marks.Dim. 96 x 26 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, pages 462-463.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3 - 22
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

François Louis Godon François Louis Godon Godon's fame was due to the clocks he made for King Charles IV of Spain, among them a large white marble and ormolu clock with astronomical indications. Appointed in 1786 Relojero de Camara by Charles III, later his full title was "Mechanical Expert and Clockmaker to the Chamber of His Catholic Majesty". The future King Charles IV appointed him official agent, and later King's pur-chaser. From 1788 until his death in about 1800, he supplied the Spanish Court with many clocks and watches which made him a con-siderable fortune. He was instrumental in assembling the finest collection of late 18th century and Empire clocks in the world for the Spanish Patrimonio Nacional.