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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Blois

Round enamelled watch, 1620-1640

Verified

A reproduction of Simon Vouet's painting, Roman Charity, is painted on enamel on the case-back. The subject, transformed into an allegory of Charity, is taken from Greek history: condemned to death by starvation in prison, General Cimon was kept alive by his daughter who suckled him. The enamelled surface is cracked.

Technical facts

Inventory number
MIH I-10
Object type
Pocket watch
Place of production
Blois
Dating
1620 - 1640
Materials and techniques (catalogue wording)
or, émail, laiton
Dimensions (catalogue)
dimensions min/max: 61 x 70 mm
Inscriptions (catalogue)
Barthelemy Mace A Blois (Mouvement)

Historical significance

  • A reproduction of Simon Vouet's painting, Roman Charity, is painted on enamel on the case-back. The subject, transformed into an allegory of Charity, is taken from Greek history: condemned to death by starvation in prison, General Cimon was kept alive by his daughter who suckled him. The enamelled surface is cracked.
  • The enameller has painted a garland of naturalistic tulips, roses and carnations around the circumference of the case. On the counter-enamel, there is a landscape with two people (Judu and Thomar, according to H. Boeckh) on a river bank in the foreground and the walls of a town in the background.
  • The enamelled gold dial depicts David, sword in hand and fresh from his victory over Goliath. The scene is taken from a painting by Simon Vouet.
  • The gilded brass movement has a fusee with gut line, a verge escapement and four baluster pillars. The gilded brass balance cock and pawl cover are pierced and engraved with scrolls and strawberry flowers.
  • Both the brass annular balance and the balance spring were added later.

Photographs

Round enamelled watch, 1620-1640 (MIH I-10)
Round enamelled watch, 1620-1640 (MIH I-10) — Musée international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Museum collection photograph, rights review pending. MIH collection record
Round enamelled watch, 1620-1640 (MIH I-10)
Round enamelled watch, 1620-1640 (MIH I-10) — Musée international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Museum collection photograph, rights review pending. MIH collection record
Round enamelled watch, 1620-1640 (MIH I-10)
Round enamelled watch, 1620-1640 (MIH I-10) — Musée international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Museum collection photograph, rights review pending. MIH collection record

Photographs are illustrative examples of the type, not necessarily the exact object described. Verify details against the source file page.

Sources & references

  1. Musée international d'horlogerie, online collection record, inv. I-10: https://collection.mih.ch/fr/collection/item/38459/

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.