Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Nov 08, 2020

LOT 5

SOUVENIR, GOLD 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 2,375

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


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 3

Good

Brand Unsigned, probably Geneva

Year Circa 1780-1790

Material Yellow gold and enamel

Dimensions 89.4 x 56.9 x 8.2 mm

Notes

Yellow gold, enamel and diamonds, flattened oblong rectangular-shaped, “Etui-àtablette”, carnet-de-bal, with inside, five-leaved ivory tablets with gold rivet (pencil missing). Blue panels with, in the centre, inside gold frames, oval panels showing en grisaille two allegories of Love on vieux-rose background; the first depicting a young boy kissing the arm of a girl, the second with a slightly older boy declaring his love to a girl. The lid with applied diamond-set word “Souvenir”. “Etui-à-tablette” The fa- shion 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” (Souvenir) underlines the sentimental value of such gifts.