Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, Apr 28, 2019

LOT 40

UNSIGNED ETUI-NÉCESSAIRE WITH ITS CHATELAINE: POMPONNE AND YELLOW GOLD

HKD 78,000 - 110,000

CHF 9,900 - 14,800 / USD 10,000 - 15,000

Pomponne and yellow gold, oblong tapering rectangular-shaped, étui-nécessaire, with inside, a tow-leaved ivory tablets with gold rivet and a pencil, a penholder, a pair of scissors, a one-blade penknife, a tweezers, an ear-spoon, a toothpick, etc., accompanied by its short chatelaine decorated en suite with two breloques (small boxes), one of which contains a thimble. Repoussé (embossed) décor showing two allegories of Love – “Venus and Cupid” and “Diana the Huntress” – in the Berain-style with foliages and grotesques.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good

Brand Unsigned

Year circa 1785

Material pomponne and yellow gold

Dimensions 97 x 35 x 23.5 mm.

Notes

Pomponne Name of an alloy developed by goldsmiths Turgot and Daumy, established in the Hôtel de Pomponne, rue de la Verrerie in Paris, who received, in 1785, from Louis XV, King of France, a Privilege of manufacture. The composition of the alloy, based on copper and zinc, is not well known and was used to imitate gold and silver. Until that date all imitations of these metals were prohibited in France. Antique Pinchbeck or Pomponne jewellery, like all plated jewellery can’t be repaired because, by heating, the two metals are mixed and the gold layer disappears. Christopher Pinchbeck (c.1670-1732), London watchmaker, creator of a zinc and copper alloy bearing his name, the Pinchbeck that looks like gold. He has a son of the same name (1710- 1783).