12,075 CHF
Attributed to Jaquet Droz, circa 1785. Very fine 18K gold and painted on enamel, split pearl-set watch, made for the Chinese market. Two-body, spring-loaded bezel, back finely painted on enamel with a portrait of a seated lady, her hand resting on an urn, azure background, split pearl-set bezels, pendant decorated in champlevé white and blue enamel. 42 mm, hinged, frosted gilt full-plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement brass balance with flat balance spring, continental cock.Diam. 51 mm. Notes Jaquet Droz. Pierre Jaquet-Droz (1721-1790) studied humanities and philosophy in Basel from 1738 to 1739 and then became interested in horology. In 1758, Jaquet-Droz made the long and difficult journey to Spain, to present his works to King Ferdinand VI. When he returned, the sum he brought back enabled him to devote himself to the making of the famous Jaquet-Droz automata, writing, draughtsmanship, and music, and to found the successful Jaquet-Droz firm, in London and Geneva, for the making of the extraordinary mechanical and musical pieces which made him famous throughout Europe. Henry-Louis (1752-1791) was the second child of Pierre Jaquet-Droz and his wife Marianne. His father sent him to Nancy when he was young to study music, science, mathematics, physics and drawing. Upon his return from Nancy in 1769, Henry-Louis took his place in his father's workshop, side by side with Jean-Frederic Leschot (1746-1824), a neighbor child who had come to live a
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2003-11-16
