Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 11, 2019

LOT 9

GAGE DE RESPECT FILIAL, GOLD AND ENAMEL CARNET DE BAL

CHF 4,000 - 6,000

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

Sold: CHF 5,000

Very fine, “Etui-à-tablette”, carnet-de-bal; yellow gold, enamel and diamonds. “Gage de Respect Filial”.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 3

Good

Brand Unsigned

Year Circa 1780-1790

Material Yellow gold, enamel and diamonds

Dimensions 87.8 x 54.6 x 11.9 mm

Notes

Yellow gold, varicoloured gold, enamel and diamonds, flattened oblong tapering rectangular-shaped, “Etui-à-tablette”, carnet-de-bal, with inside, four-leaved ivory tablets with gold rivet and a gold pencil. Royal blue flinqué enamel (translucent enamel over guilloché engine-turning) panels in varicoloured gold structure, with, in the centre, inside gold and diamond-set frames, oval panels showing in polychrome two allegories of Love; the first depicting a young Warrior near an Altar of Love with, by his side, an incredibly beautiful young woman, partially naked, showing us a charming bosom, the second with a Cupid holding a shield with the cypher “C F”, initials of the two lovers. The lid with applied diamond-set words “Gage de / Resp. Filial” (Gage de Respect Filial; Pledge of Filial Respect). “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 “Gage de Respect Filial” (Pledge of Filial Respect) underlines the sentimental value of such gifts.