Antiquorum in Love, Impotant Horology...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 16, 1997

LOT 111

Unsigned, French, circa 1890. "La Fragilite de l'Amour" Fine gilt bronze, eight day going, hour and half hour striking, repeating carriage clock with alarm.

C. Gilt bronze, "Anglaise Riche" with Corinthian columns, glazed top and hack door, Limoge type enamel side panels finely painted en grisaille over a black ground; on the left panel Cupid is holding on his hand a butterfly, representing Psyche who symbolizes the fragility of love and emotions; and on the right panel, he holds a flowery branch which is a subtle phallic symbol. D. Black enamel with red Roman numerals on white cartouches and centred with a gilt rosette with further enamelled decoration. Blued steel "fuseaux" hands, subsidiary small similar alarm setting dial. Frosted and gilt dial plate. M. Brass, rectangular with going barrels both on the going and the striking trains, silvered platform with lateral lever escapement, uncut bimetallic balance, blued-steel flat balance spring. Striking repeating and alarm on a gong with button on the top. Dim. 15,5 x 10 x 9 cm., excluding the handle.