F. Baronneau 'The Holy Family' pendant watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1640
This 22K gold and enamel pendant watch, attributed to F. Baronneau of Paris, dates to circa 1640. The piece features a "bassine fermee" double-body case with an edge that curves inward.
The exterior surfaces are entirely decorated with enamel paintings depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child, based on engravings after Simon Vouet. A silver dial with champlevé Roman numerals and an inner quarter-hour ring sits beneath the concealed cover, featuring a chased and engraved floral center and a blued-steel tulip hand. The internal mechanism consists of a 47.5 mm gilt brass full plate movement with turned baluster pillars, a fusee and gut-line going train, a verge escapement, a two-arm steel circular foliot, and a pierced, engraved gilt cock.
The backplate bears the signature of F. Baronneau.
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
- circa 1640
- Type
- Pendant watch
- Maker
- F. Baronneau
- Case Type
- Double-body
- Escapement
- Verge escapement
- Dial Details
- Silver with champlevé Roman chapters
- Case Material
- 22K gold
- Movement Type
- Gilt brass full plate
- Place recorded
- France
- Movement Diameter
- 47.5 mm
- Maker / attribution
- F. Baronneau
Design
- Visible features
- • Case decorated with enamel scenes based on engravings by Simon Vouet • Silver dial with champlevé Roman numerals and floral engraving • Movement features a two-arm circular foliot • Blued-steel tulip hand
- Case and Dial Design
- The watch is housed in a double-body 22K gold "bassine fermee" case characterized by an inward-curving edge. The entire surface is finished with detailed enamel paintings featuring themes derived from engravings by Simon Vouet. These scenes portray the Holy Family, including the Christ Child, the Virgin Mary, and Saint John the Baptist, often shown with symbolic elements such as a reed cross and a tethered bird. The watch is designed with a concealed dial, which is revealed upon opening the cover. The silver dial features champlevé Roman numerals for the hours and an integrated inner ring for quarter-hours. The center of the dial is decorated with chased and engraved floral motifs, complemented by a blued-steel hand described as a "tulip" style.
- Movement and Escapement
- The internal movement measures 47.5 mm and is constructed as a gilt brass full plate. It incorporates turned baluster pillars to support the plate architecture. Power is transmitted through a fusee and gut-line system, which drives the going train. Timing regulation is provided by a verge escapement paired with a two-arm steel circular foliot. The balance cock is notably elongated and features pierced and engraved ornamentation, secured to the plate by a screw. The movement also employs a ratchet wheel and click setup for tension control.
- Attributions and Provenance
- The watch is attributed to the Parisian maker F. Baronneau, who was active on Rue Saint-Jacques in Paris between 1620 and 1649. The enamel work is attributed to The historical record indicates the watch has previously passed through the auction market, having been sold by Antiquorum Geneva in April 2001. Reference to the watch is found in the Sandberg publication, where it is documented on pages 68-69.
Identification
- 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: Enamel painting attribution to Robert Vauquer is suggested but not definitively confirmed
- Research required: Specific date circa 1640 is an estimation