Fine French 18 carat gold and enamel pocket watch Circa 1750

Pocket watch in embossed gold and enamel
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A French Louis XV pocket watch in embossed gold and enamel, attributed to Bouvier, depicting the scene Elizer & Rebecca, circa 1750. It has a full plate gilt movement with key winding, verge escapement, pierced and engraved balance cock, blued balance spring, fusee and chain, adjustment disc, and decorative pillars between the two plates. The movement is unsigned. The white enamel dial features Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the five minutes. It has diamond and flower decoration in translucent green enamel in the centre, decorative gilt stylized hands, a railroad minute track, and an opening for the winding square. The 18 Carat round case on a hinge is covered with blue enamel imitating hard stone and embossed gold depicting Elizer and Rebecca, a camel on the left, and a low wall on the right in translucent green enamel. The bezel is enamelled and decorated with stylized motifs.
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Diameter: 46 mm
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Weight: 71.2 g
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Signed: No name
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Eliezer & Rebecca Email attributed to Bouvie
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The legend of Eliezer and Rebecca

The biblical legend of Eliezer and Rebecca is a significant story taken from Genesis (chapter 24). It highlights the meeting between Rebecca, future wife of Isaac, and Eliezer, faithful servant of Abraham, in a story marked by faith, divine proAbraham, aged and concerned about Isaac’s future, asks his servant Eliezer to find a wife for Isaac among his relatives in Haran, not among the Canaanites.saac among his relatives in Haran, and not among the Canaanites

Eliezer swears to Abraham to carry out this mission and leaves with camels and gifts.
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Eliezer’s prayer

Arriving near a well in Haran, Eliezer prays to God for a sign to help him choose Isaac’s future wife. He asks that the woman who offers water to him and his camels be the one intended by God.
The meeting with Rebecca, a beautiful and virtuous young woman, occurs at the well as she draws water. She offers water to Eliezer and waters his camels, answering the servant’s prayer exactly.
Eliezer, convinced that she is God’s choice, offers her gold jewellery and asks to meet his family.

Rebecca’s family
Eliezer is welcomed by Rebecca’s brother, Laban, and tells of his mission and the answered prayer. The family recognizes that this comes from God and gives their consent for Rebecca to become Isaac’s wife.

Rebecca’s departure

Rebekah accepts with faith and courage to leave her home and face an unknown future. She leaves with Eliezer to join Isaac.
Upon their arrival, Isaac sees Rebekah for the first time, and their marriage seals the divine covenant.

Faith and Providence

Eliezer’s prayer and his immediate response show God’s action in human choices, guiding the faithful toward what is right.
Rebekah, by agreeing to leave, embodies faith and obedience to the divine will.

Marriage and Spiritual Union

The marriage of Isaac and Rebekah is often seen as a metaphor for the spiritual union between man and woman under God’s guidance.

Hospitality and Generosity

Rebekah’s act of watering Eliezer and his camels symbolizes generosity and kindness, essential qualities in a sacred covenant.

Rebecca in Biblical Tradition

Rebekah becomes an important figure in the biblical story, mother of the twins Jacob (Israel) and Esau, and plays a crucial role in the transmission of the divine covenant with Abraham through Jacob.

Legend in Art and Culture

Many artists have depicted the scene of Rebecca at the well, particularly in Renaissance and Baroque paintings. These works capture the beauty of Rebecca and the emotion of the encounter. Example: “Rebekah and Eliezer at the Well” by Nicolas Poussin.

The legend of Eliezer and Rebecca is a deeply spiritual story illustrating faith, obedience, and divine providence. It has inspired numerous artistic representations and remains a central narrative in both Jewish and Christian traditions, evoking the power of alliances and choices guided by faith.