18,880 CHF
“Diamond-Set Lorgnette for the Islamic or Russian Market” Swiss. Made circa 1860. Very fine and extremely rare 18K gold and enamel, rose diamond- set folding lorgnette with concealed watch. To be sold without reserve Spring-loaded front cover decorated with a rose diamond-set flower on a translucent red guilloche enamel ground, rose-cut diamond-set border, the back cover decorated to match and the handle decorated with matching enamel and set with 9 large rose-cut diamonds, suspension loop set with two diamonds. White enamel, radial Islamic numerals, outer minute track, set in a gold, enamel and rose-cut diamond-set plate decorated to match the case. Gold “Breguet” hands. 20 mm, 7‘’’, gilt brass bar caliber, 8 jewels, cylinder escapement, plain gilt brass three-arm balance, blued-steel flat balance spring. Dim. 84 x 25 mm. Property of a Swiss Gentleman Notes Lorgnettes are a form of eyeglasses that are not attached to the face in any way. They are, instead, held up to the eyes by a handle and were suitable for infrequent use. Those made for the Islamic market are very rare. Lorgnettes became fashionable around 1850. They were popular accessories for balls, the theater, and the opera, and watchmakers quickly found the means of fitting watch movements to them in ingenious and stylish ways.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2006-11-12
