- 32
CHARLES FRANÇOIS BOUVIER, PARIS | A GOLD AND ENAMEL SINGLE CASED VERGE WATCH WITH EARLIER ENAMEL PANELS DEPICTING SCENES OF THE LIFE OF ANTHONY AND CLEOPATRA IN THE BLOIS STYLECIRCA 1780
Estimate
1,700 - 2,600 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- A GOLD AND ENAMEL SINGLE CASED VERGE WATCH WITH EARLIER ENAMEL PANELS DEPICTING SCENES OF THE LIFE OF ANTHONY AND CLEOPATRA IN THE BLOIS STYLECIRCA 1780
- diameter 52.5mm
• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, decoratively pierced balance bridge engraved with geometric foliate scrolls, silver regulation plate, square baluster pillars, fusee and chain, signed Chs. Frs. Bouvier, Paris• Dial: white enamel chapter ring with raised roundels carrying Roman numerals, outer Arabic 5-minute indications, the dial centre with earlier Blois style enamel panel depicting Cleopatra and the Asp, decoratively pierced gilded hands• Case: the outside back with earlier Blois style polychrome enamel painted scene depicting the Meeting of Anthony and Cleopatra, the inside back similarly decorated with Anthony's Suicide, gold bezels with engraved wave-form decoration, stirrup pendant and bow
Provenance
Chester Beatty Collection
Sotheby & Co. London, The Property of Sir. A. Chester Beatty, Part I, 3 December 1962, lot 37
Sotheby & Co. London, The Property of Sir. A. Chester Beatty, Part I, 3 December 1962, lot 37
Literature
Antiquarian Horology, November 1962, Vol. 104, No. 1250, p.706
P.W. Cumhaill, Investing in Clocks and Watches, Corgi, 1971, p.92
P.W. Cumhaill, Investing in Clocks and Watches, Corgi, 1971, p.92
Condition
Movement: Running at time of cataloguing. Dial: Enamel chapter ring with small hairline close to the opening catch. Enamel panel to the centre has been adapted to fit the dial centre, the winding aperture has some unevenness around winding aperture where it has been cut to fit the winding square. Some scratches around the winding aperture, a couple of further scratches running towards the dial centre. Case: Scene to case back with a hairline crack running from the case edge up through the main figure to the left side of the case, further fine hairline towards the upper left corner - these cracks also seen to the scene to the inside case back. Bezels retain crisp definition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."
Catalogue Note
Enamel watches of the 17th century with cases painted to all surfaces, including the band, were highly susceptible to damage from the slightest blow. However, appreciation for the beauty and quailty of enamel painted scenes meant that it was not unusual for older enamel panels to be removed from damaged watch cases, the broken parts cut away and the remaining panels set into a later case that was then fitted with a new movement. Interestingly, however, it was conjectured at the time of this watch's sale at the Sotheby's auction of 1962 that the panels may in fact have been contemporary to the watch's case and movement and simply made to appear as if they had been removed from an earlier watch. It was pointed out that an enameller by the name of Guillaume Bouvier was working contemporaneously with Charles François Bouvier and there was a suggestion that the pair may have been relatives and therefore perhaps worked on the watch together. Further comment on the watch was made in an article for Antiquarian Horology (vol.104, no.11, p.706) in November 1962 where it was noted: "although the composition is in the early manner, the colours are much brighter, brighter even than the Huauds. Also the dial centre is separate from the chapter ring, with its numerals painted on raised bosses. Perhaps the Bouvier of Paris was related to the...enameller of the same name and this watch was their joint production. Whatever the explanation, it is a fine watch in splendid condition."