234,500 CHF
A. Schneider, Dresden, No. 2207, circa 1870. Magnificent and historically important 18k gold and enamel, rock crystal and gem-set hunting cased keyless watch specially made for the King Louis Il of Bavaria with a heavy matching chain and a very fine sapphire and diamond set, lapis lazuli and gold seal in form of a horseshoe with a gold chased horse passing through. Notes Louis Il. King of Bavaria, born 1845 in Nymphenburg. drowned 1886 in Starnberg Lake. Son of King Maximilian Il and of Princess Marie of Prussia, he succeeded his father in 1864. He relinquished all powers of state to his ministers. In 1866 he helped Austria fight the Prussians, but following Austria's defeat, concluded an offensive and defensive alliance treaty with Prussia and supported the latter against France in 1870. At Bismarck's request. Bavaria joined the Northern German Confederation and in his letter of 7 December 1870 Louis suggests that William I of Prussia be proclaimed Emperor of Germany. However. Louis 2 II did not attend the Coronation ceremony which Look place at Versailles. In 1872 he refused to go to Berlin and devoted himself to preserving Bavaria's autonomy in the face of Prussian hegemony. Henceforth Louis was to Jose all interest in current affairs and cultivate excentric and solitary fastes in the shape of grandiose constructions (Linderhof, Berg. Hohenschwangau, Herrenchiemsee), an obsession for Louis XIV and a deep admiration for the works of Wagner, a friend and protégé sin
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1990-02-25
