Fine, rare French miniature pair cased verge watch Circa 1675

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Kenmerk: SB0004
Diameter: 26 mm

Estimate: € 25.000 - 50.000
Price sold: € 41.500

Miniature gold and enamel verge by Jean Thomeguex

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A fine and rare French miniature pair cased gold and enamel verge pocket watch, circa 1675. Gilt full plate movement, pierced and engraved balance cock, pre hairspring verge escapement, spiral column pilasters. Later white enamel dial, Roman numerals and a single hand. Case with enamel interior painted in red camaïeu depicting two hikers in a landscape, possibly after an engraving by Gabriel Perelle, finely decorated band with colourful summer flowers, polychrome enamel scene to the back depicting Venus giving the golden apple to Paris, outer leather case with pique work. Movement signed Jean Thomeguex.
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Diameter: 26 mm
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Signed: Jean Thomeguex
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This exceptional watch, painted with a scene of the mythological Judgement of Paris, expresses how the magnificent glowing colours of this style of enamel painting appear in Europe and particularly in France from around 1620. The enamel miniaturists knew from the beginning how to draw upon this vast repertoire of art and contemporary painting for their own purposes. Both their subject matter and ability to master the complex alchemy processes essential for making enamel paints, explain the extraordinary attraction for the items that enamel artists decorated.

Signed: Jean Thomeguex