$46,000
Patek Philippe & Cie. , Geneve, No. 23953, made in 1863. Very fine and important 18K gold, diamond-set historical ring watch, in original fitted box, sold on 26 August 1871 by a Patek Philippe retailer to Queen Victoria to be presented to a member of the Du Pont de Nemours family. Two piece, the bezel set with 30 rose-cut diamonds. White enamel with Roman numerals. Blued steel "spade" hands. Notes The Du Pont de Nemours were an eminent French family, whose name was originally spelt somewhat differently. An important member of the family, who played an important role in French politics in the 1780's-90's and again at the beginning of the 19th century, was the French economist Pierre Samuel Dupont de Nemours, who was born in Paris in 1739, son of a watchmaker. As State Councillor, he was in charge of Foreign Trade Relations and prepared the treaty for the The United States Emancipation in 1783, as well as the Trade Treaty with England in 1786. Due to a changing political situation, unfavourable to him, he emigrated to America in 1797, together with his two sons, and lived in Delaware, New Jersey. On Jefferson's request, he set out the project for American National Education in 1802 but returned to France that same year where he was named President of the Chamber of Commerce. Named secretary to the provisional government in 1814, he returned to America for good on Napoleon's return in 1815. Pierre Samuel Dupont de Nemours died in Eleutherian Mills, Delaware, in 1817. Read more…
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1998-12-15
