17,500 CHF
THE STRAWBERRY Swiss, Geneva, No. 5658. Made circa 1810. Very fine and rare, 18K gold, enamel and pearl-set, strawberry-form pendant watch. Two-body, the back of the fruit in green enamel with half pearls for seeds, green enamel on top for the leaves set with graduated half pearls, spring-loaded pearl-set bezel, gold stem forms the pendant. Gold, champlevé with radial Roman numerals, outer dot minute divisions, engine-turned centre. Blued-steel Breguet hands. Gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement with micrometric potence adjustment, plain three-arm brass balance, continental cock with polished endplate, silver regulation dial. Dim. 26.5 x 46 mm. Notes Form Watches The fi rst form watches appeared in the early 17th century, the cases modeled in cast and chased silver or gold as animals, fi sh and skulls. These exotic and expensive “toys” enjoyed a revival during the last decade of the 18th century and the fi rst quarter of the 19th century, naturally the fi ne Swiss watchmakers and enamelers in Geneva made some of the best examples of this period. A large variety of shapes were made, fruit being a particular favorite. Exquisite gold, enamel and jeweled watches in the form of melons, cherries, peaches and strawberries were amongst the most popular. Fruit has a powerful symbolism. In China the apple represents peace, the cherry, fertility and the strawberry represents goodness and purity, the perfect gift for a lady who would hav
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2011-11-13
