Patek Philippe
Retailed by Tilden Thurber Co. Providence, RI: A rare and small ladies gold, enamel, and diamond-set pair cased repoussé watch in the 18th century style, Circa 1895
Auction Closed
June 5, 07:33 PM GMT
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Dial: white enamel, green Breguet numerals
Movement: damascened nickel lever escapement, wolf's tooth winding, bi-metallic compensation balance
Movement number: 104'820
Case: outer gold repoussé case depicting Hercules and Omphale with a putto leaning on Omphale, the inner case with translucent green enamel over guillouche ground, heightened by diamond-set florals, centered by a polychrome enamel en plein cupid with arrow floating amongst the clouds, bordered by rose cut diamonds, glazed dust cover
Case number: 216'558
Size: 32 mm diameter
Signed: case numbered, movement signed by maker and retailer and numbered
Box: no
Papers: no
As punishment for the murder of Iphitus, Hercules entered the service of Omphale, Queen of Lydia for three years. Despite his well known strength, Omphale initially treated him as a slave before alleviating his suffering by making him her lover. The repoussé scene on the present lot depicts Hercules and Omphale, where Hercules is forced to spin Omphale's loom, one of his many tasks meant to demean him during his service. Interestingly, the artist has portrayed Hercules as quite masculine here, whereas according to the myth, he was forced to wear women's clothing during his labor.