9,200 CHF
Barraud, London, No. 2981, circa 1810.Fine and rare 18K gold and enamel, pearl-set, slim center-seconds watch, made for the Chinese market. Two-body, back cover with translucent imperial blue enamel over very elaborate engine-turning, pearl-set bezels with white and blue enamel frame, pendant and its neck decorated en suite, concealed hinges. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute dot divisions. Gold "heart" hands. 50 mm, full plate with opening for the balance, large gilt and entirely engraved full plate cock covering the entire movement with wheel-like aperture for the balance, going barrel, cylinder escapementwith brass escape wheel, plain steel balance, flat balance-spring.Signed on the movement.Diam. 59 mm. Notes BarraudThe Barraud family was of Huguenot origin, Philip Barraud, merchant, being listed in the Naturalization Act of 1704. The first watchmaker of the family was Francis-Gabriel (1727-1795), whose two eldest sons Paul-Philip (1752-1820) and John (dates unknown) were working with their father by 1780, although Paul-Philip seems also to have traded independently. After narrowly escaping bankruptcy in 1788, he resumed independent activity and after his father's death he was associated with George Jamisonand William Howells in an attempt to produce a hybrid version of Mudge's timekeeper. Although this venture failed, Barraud continued the manufacture of chronometers, both box and pocket, and it was for these that he was to become famous. Member Read more…
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2001-10-13
