Hercules and Antaeus

Hercules and Antaeus. Nicolaus Schmidt, Germany, circa 1595. Very fine large oval pre-balance spring, single-hand, hour-striking, silver pendant watch with concealed dial and stackfreed. Two-body, hinged front engraved with a scene depicting Hercules fighting Antaeus, a small cartouche at the top with winged cherub, the back very finely engraved with a scene depicting Pyramus and Thisbe, band pierced and engraved in foliate pattern, floral pendant, loose ring. Silver, oval, hinged, Roman numerals, half-hour markers, center engraved with stylized foliage, outer with cherubs, nymphs and mask among stylized foliage. Blued steel "arrowhead" hand. Notes Nicolaus Schmidt. The watch is punched with the mark of a recognized German maker. There were two watchmakers of the same name; they were father and son. The father, who was born in 1549 in Luxemburg, became a Master in 1576. That same year he married the daughter of a reputable Augsburg Master watchmaker,Hans Fronmüller, and established himself in Augsburg. He died in 1620. His watches are in Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Basel Historisches Museum. His son, also named Nicholas, was born in 1582, became Free in 1620, and died in 1637. Hercules and Antaeus.One of Hercules' celebrated exploits was his victory over Antaeus. Antaeus, the son of Terra, the earth, was a mighty giant and wrestler, who was invincible as long as he remained in contact with his mother earth. He compelled all visitors to wrestle with him on the