Enamelled Gold and Glass Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1822-1838
This French pocket watch dates to 1822-1838 and features an enamelled gold and glass case. The piece is attributed to watchcase maker François-Auguste Chenaud. It is equipped with an unsigned movement utilizing a cylinder escapement.
The watch construction incorporates a glass back, which allows for viewing the internal mechanism and the associated enamelled decoration. The dial is finished in gold with engraved floral details, black Roman numerals, and a secondary winding aperture. The external case features decorative enamel work, consistent with the identified manufacturing period. The object is held in the Victoria and Albert Museum collection, having been acquired through a donation from Miss Elizabeth A Mullins.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- 1822-1838
- Type
- Pocket watch
- Maker
- François-Auguste Chenaud
- Materials
- Enamelled gold and glass
- Object type
- Watch
- Place recorded
- France
- Escapement type
- Cylinder escapement
- Place of origin
- France
- Maker / attribution
- François-Auguste Chenaud
Design
- Visible features
- • Engraved floral motif on the gold dial • Visible blue enamel decoration on the movement plates • Cylinder escapement visible in movement photo • Roman numeral hour markers
- Provenance and Marks
- The object is associated with the watchcase maker François-Auguste Chenaud, whose mark is recorded on the piece. This mark serves to attribute the case manufacture to the period between 1822 and 1838. The item is held by the Victoria and Albert Museum. The watch was added to the museum's collection as a gift from Miss Elizabeth A Mullins, under the accession number M.98-1916. No other specific historical ownership or literature is noted in the provided documentation.
- Movement and Escapement
- The movement powering the watch is unsigned. It is constructed using a cylinder escapement, a common mechanism for the period. The plates of the movement are notable for their blue enamelled finish, which is visible through the transparent back of the watch. The layout displays the gear train and balance assembly, allowing a clear view of the functional parts through the glass back, which aligns with the decorative presentation of the movement plates.
- Case and Dial Construction
- The pocket watch is housed in an enamelled gold and glass case. The external appearance is characterized by decorative enamel work. The dial is executed in gold and features an engraved floral motif at its center. It uses black Roman numerals for the hour markers and includes a winding aperture at the two o'clock position. The design incorporates a glass back, which serves as a window to the interior of the watch. This feature allows for the inspection of the movement components and the decorative elements contained within the case back. The overall dimensions of the watch are 5 cm in height and 4.3 cm in width.
Identification
- Accession number
- M.98-1916
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Movement is stated as unsigned
- Research required: Specific manufacturer of the movement mechanism is not provided in source