Watch, Paris, ca. 1930
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1930
Watch in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number M.170-2007), made in Paris, dated ca. 1930. The museum's brief description reads: Jewelled watch hanging on a braided silk cord from a matching brooch, Lacloche Frères, Paris, 1920s.. Museum description: Square watch hanging on a braided silk cord from a matching brooch. The watch back and brooch both have a central panel of two overlapping sapphire and jadeite flowers against a diamond background, surrounded by a black frame with red side panels. A narrow band of diamonds divides the red and the black on the watch and surrounds the top of the silk cord. The watch unit has a single large diamond above and a single pearl below. The museum records it as Gold, platinum, enamel, brilliant- and rose-cut diamonds, sapphires, jadeite, black-backed chalcedony, pearl and silk, measuring Length 3.5 cm; Width 2.4 cm; Depth .5 cm; Length 9.5 cm. These details come from the museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
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.
Historical context
The bold juxtapositioning of the red and the black in this watch shows the influence of Oriental lacquer on jewellery during the 1920s and '30s. The floating stylized flowers may also be inspired by Oriental art - in particular textile designs. Lacloche Frères were amongst the profusion of jewellers on the rue de la Paix in Paris. Founded in Madrid in 1875 they also had branches in Saint-Sébastien, Biarritz, and from 1920 in London. One of their best-known pieces was the tiara made in 1930 for the Duchess of Westminster.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- gold, diamond, sapphire, jadeite, pearl, silk (textile), platinum, enamel
- Dimensions
- Length 3.5 cm; Width 2.4 cm; Depth .5 cm; Length 9.5 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Gold, platinum, enamel, brilliant- and rose-cut diamonds, sapphires, jadeite, black-backed chalcedony, pearl and silk
- Place recorded
- Paris
Identification
- Museum object name
- Watch
- Museum object number
- M.170-2007
- Museum system number
- O153735
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: confirm the wider type, maker and date against a specialist reference.