21,240 CHF
“Susanna and the Elders” Windmills, London, No. 8708. The inner case with London hallmarks for 1729-30. Very fine, pair-cased, 22K gold pocket watch with repoussé outer case. Outer: repoussé, the case back depicting Susanna being surprised while bathing by two old men, border with repoussé foliate scrolls and trophies, the bezel decorated to match. Inner: two-body, "bassine", mastermark WS, polished. Gold with champlevé radial Roman numerals, outer minute track with five-minute Arabic numerals in polished cartouches, the whole on matte background, the center with scrolls and signature cartouche. Blued steel "beetle and poker " hands. Notes The present lot was previously sold by Antiquorum, Geneva, November 11, 2001, Lot 281. Thomas Windmills The son of Joseph Windmills, to whom he was apprenticed until 1693. He is recorded working until 1732. Susanna and The Elders The story is set in Babylon, and tells how Susanna, the wife of a prosperous Jew was secretly desired by two elders of the community and they plotted to seduce her. She was accustomed to go into her garden to bathe and one day the two elders hid themselves and as soon as her maids had gone they sprang out naked on the unsuspecting girl. They threatened her that unless she gave herself to them they would swear she had committed adultery for which the penalty was death. She cried out and the elders carried out their threat. She was only saved by Daniel who cross-examined the elders and proved her innocence.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2006-05-14
