Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 11, 2019

LOT 10

SOUVENIR D’AMITIE, GOLD, ENAMEL AND DIAMONDS CARNET DE BAL

CHF 4,000 - 6,000

HKD 32,000 - 48,000 / USD 4,000 - 6,000

Very fine, “Etui-à-tablette”, carnet-de-bal; yellow gold, enamel and diamonds. “Souvenir D’amitié”.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good

Case: 3-13

Good

Slightly damaged

Brand Unsigned

Year Circa 1780-1790

Material Yellow gold, enamel and diamonds

Dimensions 81.1 x 44.4 x 10.2 mm

Notes

Yellow gold, enamel and diamonds, flattened oblong rectangularshaped, “Etui-à-tablette”, carnet-de-bal, with inside, four-leaved ivory tablets with gold rivet (pencil missing). Blue flinqué enamel (translucent enamel over guilloché engine-turning) panels, with, in the centre, inside gold frames, oval panels showing in polychrome two allegories of Love; the first depicting an Altar of Love, the second with a Coronation of Love. The lid with applied diamond-set words “Souvenir” “D’amitié”. “Etui-à-tablette” The fashion of these small étuis (cases) develops throughout the 18th century. These small flat cases containing a writing kit (ivory tablets and pencil) are then used to record his appointments. These cases are the ancestors of the carnets-de-bal (notebooks) that will develop during the 19th century. The inscription “Souvenir d’amitié” (Souvenir of Friendship) underlines the sentimental value of such gifts