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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Repeating pocket watch

Repeating Watch with Ladies Sacrificing a Dove on the Altar of Love

Partially verified

This repeating pocket watch is attributed to the clockmaker Jean Romilly, active in France between circa 1750 and 1770. The watch is constructed primarily of gold and enamel. The dial features a white background with black Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals marking the minutes at five-minute intervals. The dial is signed "REMILLY A PARIS". The case design incorporates an enamelled scene on the exterior, executed in grisaille, which depicts two young women before an altar, specifically representing the theme of sacrificing a dove on the altar of love. As a repeating watch, the mechanism is designed to audibly signal the time. The physical structure combines metallic housing with decorative enamelling, consistent with documented artisanal practices attributed to an anonymous French goldsmith alongside the movement signed by Romilly. The object is currently held within the Rijksmuseum collection.

Front view of the repeating watch showing the dial, hands, and decorative case border.
Front view of the repeating watch showing the dial, hands, and decorative case border. — Rijksmuseum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.rijksmuseum.nl
Category
Pocket watch · Repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Jean Romilly
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
BK-15010
Source-reported date
ca. 1750 - ca. 1770
Source-reported place
France

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Exterior Decoration

The dial of the watch is presented in white enamel, featuring a clear layout with Roman numerals to denote the hours and Arabic numerals positioned at the outer edge for the minutes, specifically at five-minute intervals. The central area of the dial prominently displays the signature "REMILLY A PARIS", indicating the maker's association with the city.

The exterior of the case is decorated with a specialized enamel technique. The scene, executed in grisaille, depicts two young women participating in a ritual act before an altar. The subject matter is identified as the sacrifice of a dove on the altar of love.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gouden horloge, repetitiehorloge, met geëmailleerd tafereel, voorstellende twee meisjes voor een altaar in grisaille.”

Maker and Origins

The movement of the repeating watch is attributed to Jean Romilly, an clockmaker active in France. While the technical construction is assigned to Romilly, the physical casing and decorative enamelling are credited to an anonymous French goldsmith.

The production of this object is broadly dated between circa 1750 and 1770. The records clarify the manufacture is French, reflecting the professional activity of both the clockmaker and the unnamed goldsmith responsible for the case.

Evidence for this section
  • “uurwerkmaker: Jean Romilly, Frankrijk”
  • “edelsmid: anoniem, Frankrijk”
  • “Datering ca. 1750 - ca. 1770”

Provenance and Collection History

The watch is currently part of the permanent collection of the Rijksmuseum, entered under the object number BK-15010. Its history prior to institutional acquisition includes ownership within the collection of Maurits Elzas, based in Arnhem. Elzas bequeathed the watch to the museum in 1937, along with over one hundred other timepieces as part of a larger collection.

Earlier provenance mentions a possible link to the Van Balveren family, specifically noting Walraven Elias Johan baron van Balveren (1858-1920) of Arnhem. The object was subsequently passed to his heirs and sold to Maurits Elzas in 1921. This history of ownership is maintained by the museum's registry.

Evidence for this section
  • “Collectie Maurits Elzas, Arnhem”
  • “legaat 1937”
  • “collection Van Balveren, possibly Walraven Elias Johan baron van Balveren (1858-1920), Arnhem”

Open research questions

  • What is the precise mechanical construction of the repeating movement?
  • Can the anonymous goldsmith be identified through stylistic comparisons with other 18th-century French cases?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Repeating Watch with Ladies Sacrificing a Dove on the Altar of Love
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJean Romilly“uurwerkmaker: Jean Romilly, Frankrijk”
GoldsmithAnonymous“edelsmid: anoniem, Frankrijk”
Object NumberBK-15010“Objectnummer BK-15010”
MaterialGold and enamel“goud en email”
Dateca. 1750 - ca. 1770“ca. 1750 - ca. 1770”
ProvenanceCollection Maurits Elzas“Collectie Maurits Elzas, Arnhem”
DescriptionRepeating watch with grisaille scene“Gouden horloge, repetitiehorloge, met geëmailleerd tafereel, voorstellende twee meisjes voor een altaar in grisaille.”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with Roman and Arabic numerals
  • Ornate openwork casing visible on the perimeter
  • Grisaille enamel scene depicting figures at an altar
  • Movement signature visible on the dial

Research qualifications

  • The identity of the goldsmith is recorded as anonymous
  • The provenance mention of Van Balveren is marked as possibly
  • The dating is approximate as per institutional records

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Repeating Watch with Ladies Sacrificing a Dove on the Altar of Love

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 236cc626c1

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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