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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Component · Watchcase

Watchcase (Boîtier de montre)

Partially verified

This watchcase, held by the Cleveland Museum of Art (accession 1916.348), is dated to approximately 1640. Originally intended to house a watch mechanism, the object was subsequently modified into a box through the removal of the movement and ring. It is constructed from gold and enamel, measuring 5.8 cm in diameter. The exterior and interior surfaces feature elaborate painted enamel miniatures, which were inspired by religious allegorical compositions. The back panel depicts a scene modeled after Peter Paul Rubens’ 1615 work, The Holy Family with Saints John the Baptist and Elizabeth, while the interior base features imagery associated with Nicolas Cochin. An inscription, "B8," is engraved upon the rim of the case. The object is recognized as a specific museum specimen representing the practice of French enamel work on metal during the mid-17th century.

Exterior view showing the miniature painting on the cover.
Exterior view showing the miniature painting on the cover. — Cleveland Museum of Art. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Component · Watchcase
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1916.348
Source-reported date
c. 1640
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

Construction and Design

The object is a circular watchcase manufactured from gold and enamel. It measures 5.8 cm in diameter. The piece is notably decorated with complex painted enamel miniatures. These images cover both the interior and exterior of the case, a method of decoration which became a significant practice in France during the 1630s and 1640s as an alternative to watercolor painting on vellum.

The imagery is derived from established religious allegorical compositions. The back panel displays a scene based on Peter Paul Rubens’ 1615 work titled The Holy Family with Saints John the Baptist and Elizabeth. The interior base features a miniature attributed to the influence of the artist Nicolas Cochin.

Evidence for this section
  • “In the 1630s, the practice of painting with enamel on metal became a means for French miniature painters to achieve a more richly colored, durable product.”
  • “This watch case is richly painted inside and out with miniatures modeled after well-known religiously allegorical works.”
  • “Inspiration for the box’s miniatures was drawn from works by Peter Paul Rubens’ The Holy Family with Saints John the Baptist and Elizabeth (1615) (back panel) and Nicolas Cochin (interior base).”

Modification and Inscription

Although initially created to contain a watch mechanism, the object is no longer functional in that capacity. It was later modified into a simple container or box. This process involved the removal of the original watch movement and the suspension ring, leaving only the gold and enamel housing.

The rim of the case features an identifying mark. The inscription "B8" is engraved directly into the metal, serving as the only explicit identifier found on the housing.

Evidence for this section
  • “This case would have originally held a watch, but was later transformed into a simple box through the removal of the watch mechanism and ring.”
  • “Inscribed: [engraved on the rim]: "B8".”

Provenance and Identification

The watchcase is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, indexed under the accession number 1916.348. The museum classifies the piece as jewelry. The dating to circa 1640 reflects the museum's assessment of the object within the context of 17th-century French enamel production.

The documentation provided by the museum serves as the primary record for this object. Because this is a single museum-held item, there remains a research requirement to compare this specific case against known horological references to confirm the wider type and potential maker attribution.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cleveland Museum of Art object 1916.348: Watchcase (Boîtier de montre), c. 1640. France.”
  • “Research required: this record describes a single museum object; confirm the wider type, maker attribution and specifications against horological references.”

Open research questions

  • What is the historical context of the "B8" inscription found on the rim?
  • Are there similar extant watchcases from the same period that retain their original movements for comparison?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Watchcase (Boîtier de montre)
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Holding InstitutionCleveland Museum of Art“Cleveland Museum of Art”
Object Number1916.348“1916.348”
Datec. 1640“c. 1640”
Materialsgold and enamel“gold and enamel”
Diameter5.8 cm (2 5/16 in.)“diameter: 5.8 cm (2 5/16 in.)”
Place of ManufactureFrance“France”

Visible details

  • Painted enamel miniatures on both interior and exterior surfaces
  • Hinged circular design with a metal rim
  • Includes an engraved "B8" inscription on the rim
  • Depicts religious allegorical scenes after Rubens and Cochin

Research qualifications

  • The exact maker is not identified in the provided record.
  • The transformation process from watchcase to box is not documented in detail.

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

Consulted source

Watchcase (Boîtier de montre) (Cleveland Museum of Art 1916.348)

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 29f2e28b45

Terms in this record

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