Gosselin A Paris

Gosselin A Paris, circa 1720. Very fine silver oignon watch with minute hand. Two-body, oignon-shaped, back and bezel finely engraved with exotic birds and scrolling. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions with five-minute Arabic markers, small rosette in the center. Blued steel "fleur-de-lis" hands. 46 mm, gilt brass full plate with applied silver decoration, silver Egyptian pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, 3-arm brass balance, silver continental cock pierced and engraved with exotic birds and flower basket.Signed on the movement. Diam. 58 mm. Notes Oignon watches with silver pillars and silver cocks are rare. Jean-Philippe Gosselin (c. 1690 – 1766) He was a well-known maker, both in watches and clocks. He is probably best known for his musical clocks. He inherited his father Jacques’ business; after training, most likely by his father, he was received as Master on August 26, 1717. He was Garde-Visiteur in 1752 and 1753 and again from 1755 to 1757. Gosselin was established in the Rue Saint-Honoré in 1748. His work can be found in the Metropolitan Museum, the Woodstock Museum, the Blenheim Museum and the La Chaux de Fonds Museum.