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JOS. BIERGANS, MÜNCHEN | A VERY FINE LADY'S GOLD, DIAMOND, SAPPHIRE AND RUBY-SET HUNTING CASED WATCH PRESENTED BY LUDWIG II TO HIS MOTHER QUEEN MARIA VON BAYERNCIRCA 1880, NO. 28279
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 CHF
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Description
- A VERY FINE LADY'S GOLD, DIAMOND, SAPPHIRE AND RUBY-SET HUNTING CASED WATCH PRESENTED BY LUDWIG II TO HIS MOTHER QUEEN MARIA VON BAYERNCIRCA 1880, NO. 28279
- diameter 36mm
• Movement: gilded bar cylinder, jewelled to the centre, flat three-arm balance, gold cuvette signed Jos. Biergans, München and numbered 28279• Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute ring• Case: pink gold, matt finished covers, the front with yellow gold diamond-set star motif the centre set with a single ruby, case back with yellow gold sapphire-set 'L' surrounded by translucent green enamel leaves, the winder in the form of a crown surmounted by a cross, the band and bow set with diamonds, rubies and sapphires, lever for hand-set beneath the bezel at 4 o'clock, pusher to left of crown to open the case front• Accompaniments: with a blue velvet fitted box and a handwritten note dated 1880
Provenance
Sotheby's Geneva, 16 November 1999, lot 417
Condition
Movement: running at time of cataloguing and appears to be in good aesthetic condition although may benefit from a service. Dial: with scratch at 4 o'clock but otherwise appears to be in good condition. Case: appears to be in very good condition with some light scuffs.
"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
King Ludwig II of Bavaria (1845-1886) became a devoted patron of the arts during his rule, often spending lavish amounts of money on extravagant artistic and architectural projects. The present lot is one of several known presentation watches given by Ludwig to friends and family members as gifts. Ludwig II gave the present lot to his mother, Queen Marie of Prussia on 8 September 1880, a handwritten note accompanying the watch states: "Watch: red gold with diamond star and 1 ruby and "L" of sapphires: From Ludwig on the 8th September Hohenschwangau 1880". The watch is part of a lot previously sold at Sotheby's Geneva (16 November 1999, lot 417); the consignor to that auction had acquired the watch from the estate of the late Prince Joseph Clemens of Bavaria. Queen Marie (1825-1889) outlived Ludwig, and upon her death her second son, King Otto of Bavaria (1848-1916) inherited the present piece. The watch was subsequently left to Prince Joseph Clemens of Bavaria (1902-1990). At the time of the 1999 auction, the watch was sold together with an enamel box and these were accompanied by a letter written by Prince Joseph and dated 1926 which confirmed the authenticity of the note currently with the watch as that of Queen Maria as well as the provenance of the watch.
The watch bears a sapphire-set initial of Ludwig surrounded by foliage to one side, while the front lid contains rose-cut diamonds in the shape of a star, centred by a cushion-shaped ruby. While beautifully rendered, this watch is less ostentatious than many other watches commissioned by Ludwig. He famously had a fractious relationship with his family members throughout his life.
The watch bears a sapphire-set initial of Ludwig surrounded by foliage to one side, while the front lid contains rose-cut diamonds in the shape of a star, centred by a cushion-shaped ruby. While beautifully rendered, this watch is less ostentatious than many other watches commissioned by Ludwig. He famously had a fractious relationship with his family members throughout his life.