Rare Swiss musical watch in the form of a harp Circa 1820
- Kenmerk
- SB0528
- Diameter
- -
- Estimate
- € 60.000 - 120.000
- Price sold
- -
Gold, enamel, diamond and pearl set musical form watch by Bessière & Schneider
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A fine and rare Swiss gold, enamel, diamond and pearl set musical watch in the form of a harp, circa 1820.
Realistically styled harp, the body fitted with music and a lever for activating the tune. The front panel decorated with polychrome enamel trophy of music, the trapezoidal watch fitted below into a hinged compartment. Verge escapement, balance bridge pierced and engraved with scrolls. White enamel dial, Arabic numerals and gold-foliate-etched reserves. Split pearl set bezel; the sides applied with gold musical trophy within split pearl set borders, framed by translucent blue enamel over the engine-turned ground, diamond set tuning pins, the neck, head, knee and soundboard embellished with further enamel geometric motif in tones of blue, black and white enamel. With attached associated chain and key. The interior behind the watch is stamped with maker’s mark BS separated by a spear.
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Realistically styled harp, the body fitted with music and a lever for activating the tune. The front panel decorated with polychrome enamel trophy of music, the trapezoidal watch fitted below into a hinged compartment. Verge escapement, balance bridge pierced and engraved with scrolls. White enamel dial, Arabic numerals and gold-foliate-etched reserves. Split pearl set bezel; the sides applied with gold musical trophy within split pearl set borders, framed by translucent blue enamel over the engine-turned ground, diamond set tuning pins, the neck, head, knee and soundboard embellished with further enamel geometric motif in tones of blue, black and white enamel. With attached associated chain and key. The interior behind the watch is stamped with maker’s mark BS separated by a spear.
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Height: 81 mm
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Signed: Bessière & Schneider
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The maker’s mark BS is that of Bessière & Schneider, which was registered as working in Geneva 1805-1808. This maker is recorded in Williams, H. Enamels of the World 1700-2000 The Khalili Collections, 2009. For a box by this maker, see Op. Cit, Chapter 9, Swiss Snuff boxes 1785-1835, Julia Clarke, Cat. No. 216. Bessière & Schneider remained in partnership for a short time. However, they are credited with a small group of extremely high-quality enamel work during this time. They specialized in boxes painted as flowers, animals or baskets of fruit. For their mark, see Op. Cit p. 429.
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For a similar Harps, see O. Patrizzi and F. Sturm, Montre de Fantasie, 1979, figs. 3 -4 and illustrated on the back cover of the dust jacket. For Images of the music, work see Op. Cit. p.120 pl. IV. Another harp is illustrated in T. Camerer Cuss, The Sandberg Watch Collection, 2001.
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Signed: Bessière & Schneider
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The maker’s mark BS is that of Bessière & Schneider, which was registered as working in Geneva 1805-1808. This maker is recorded in Williams, H. Enamels of the World 1700-2000 The Khalili Collections, 2009. For a box by this maker, see Op. Cit, Chapter 9, Swiss Snuff boxes 1785-1835, Julia Clarke, Cat. No. 216. Bessière & Schneider remained in partnership for a short time. However, they are credited with a small group of extremely high-quality enamel work during this time. They specialized in boxes painted as flowers, animals or baskets of fruit. For their mark, see Op. Cit p. 429.
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For a similar Harps, see O. Patrizzi and F. Sturm, Montre de Fantasie, 1979, figs. 3 -4 and illustrated on the back cover of the dust jacket. For Images of the music, work see Op. Cit. p.120 pl. IV. Another harp is illustrated in T. Camerer Cuss, The Sandberg Watch Collection, 2001.
Signed: Bessière & Schneider
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