Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Nov 08, 2020

LOT 1

SOUVENIR, GOLD, DIAMOND AND ENAMEL CARNET DE BAL

CHF 4,000 - 6,000

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

TO BE SOLD WITHOUT RESERVE

Sold: CHF 2,750

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


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 3

Good

Brand Unsigned, probably Geneva

Year Circa 1780-1790

Case No. 420

Material Yellow gold and enamel

Dimensions 85.5 x 57.6 x 8.6 mm

Notes

Yellow gold, enamel and diamonds, flattened oblong rectangular-shaped, “Etui-à-tablette”, carnet-de-bal, with inside, four-leaved ivory tablets with gold rivet and a gold pencil. Green flinqué enamel (translucent enamel over guilloché engine-turning) panels, with, in the centre, inside gold frames, oval panels showing en grisaille two allegories of Love on vieu- x-rose background; the first depicting a young woman near a pedestal, the second with a young woman reading a book, with her, a Cupid with bow and arrow. The lid with applied diamond-set word “Souvenir” (on the reverse, the word “D’amitié” is missing). “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.