23,000 CHF
The Arrival of LohengrinUnsigned, Swiss, No. 30514, made for the German market, circa 1890.Very fine 14K two-tone gold and painted on enamel keyless pocket watch. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, five-minue Arabic markers. Gold "fancy" hands with inset paste stone. Notes Lohengrinis the hero of the German legend of the Knight of the Swan. Parsifal's son Lohengrin was sent from the castle of the Grail to seek the young duchess Elsa of Brabant. Guided by the swan, he reached Antwerp, and married the lady on the condition that she not ask his origin. When years later she broke her promise, Lohengrin departed. The story was followed closely by Richard Wagner in his opera "Lohengrin", in which Lohengrin defends Elsa, accused by Telramund of killing her brother. When Lohengrinpronounces Elsa's innocence, Telramund challenges him. Lohengrin's swan guide finds its origins in the little brother who, in one version of the tale "the Seven Swans", was compelled through the destruction of his golden chain to remain in swan form. In classical mythology, the swan was an attribute of Apollo, hence the Apollo motif on the back.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2002-11-16
