English Gold and Enamel Chatelaine Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Late 18th century
This late 18th-century English pocket watch is paired with its original matching chatelaine. The set is constructed with gold and enamel, featuring Champlevé enamelling on the chatelaine clip.
The clip supports a large oval medallion depicting Erato and Cupid in en grisaille, with seven chains holding various accessories, including a small gold bottle, a gilded winding key, and a heart-shaped stone; the source reports one chain clip is missing its spring cover. The watch is housed in a consular case decorated with blue enamel and white spots. Its reverse displays an oval en grisaille panel of Diana the Huntress and Cupid, framed by transparent green enamel over an engine-turned ground.
The white enamel dial features Roman hour numerals and Arabic minute numerals, with gold beetle and poker hands. The fusee movement includes a fire-gilt full plate, round pillars, and a hand-engraved balance cock.
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
- Type
- Chatelaine watch
- Maker
- F. Perigal
- Period
- Late 18th century
- Case style
- Consular
- Movement type
- Mechanical fusee
- Place recorded
- England
- Case decoration
- En grisaille and engine-turned
- Chatelaine clip
- Champlevé enamel
- Dial restoration
- Restored
- Maker / attribution
- F. Perigal
Design
- Movement
- The movement is a traditional English fusee caliber with a full plate layout and fire-gilt finish. The structure is supported by round pillars. The balance cock is decorated with hand-cut fretwork and manual engraving, while the regulator disc is fashioned from silver. The balance wheel is a simple steel three-arm design, complemented by a blued steel hairspring. The entire assembly is presented within a later Morocco leather box with red velvet lining, though the mechanical integrity of the gear train remains a matter for independent inspection.
- Case and Dial
- The watch case is constructed from gold and enamel. The bezel area is detailed with blue enamel and white spots, which resemble seed pearls. The reverse of the case is decorated with a second en grisaille panel, this time illustrating Diana the Huntress and Cupid. This scene is encircled by transparent green enamel over an engine-turned surface. The dial is composed of white enamel and displays a traditional layout with Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the minutes. The watch uses gold hands in the beetle and poker style. The source indicates that the dial and the case-back panel have undergone restoration.
- Visible features
- • Case back features en grisaille imagery of Diana the Huntress and Cupid • White enamel dial has Roman numerals for hours and Arabic numerals for minutes • Chatelaine accessories include a bottle, a key, and a heart-shaped stone • Gilded beetle and poker hands are present
- Chatelaine and Accessories
- The chatelaine acts as a decorative mount, featuring a gilded clip with Champlevé enamelling. It is decorated with an oval medallion of Erato and Cupid, executed in the en grisaille technique. This clip provides seven suspension points for chains, which are themselves embellished with blue and white enamel. The attached accessories include a small gold bottle with medallion motifs, a gilded winding key, and a heart-shaped stone.
Identification
- Reference
- 1935
- 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: The auction description notes the dial and the oval case-back panel have been restored
- Research required: One chatelaine clip is reported to be missing its spring cover