Jaquet Droz Enamel and Pearl Set Chinese Market Pocket Watch

Inventory number: PW1809010

Circa 1790, 53mm, 18K gold open-face case with seed pearl-set bezel. The enamel decoration to the case back depicting a shepherdess with her flock in a pastoral setting bordered by green and gilt leaf and acorn edging. Made for the Chinese market.

Functions: hours, minutes, and seconds.

Virgule escapement was introduced by Jean Andre Lepaut in about 1780 and was derived from Tompion’s ‘tenterhook’ escapement circa 1680.

Glossary of Material Terms

Enamel

A vitreous substance whose main component is silica mixed with oxides (transition metals) that create a vast palette of colors. Enamel is used to decorate metal surfaces, gold, silver, and copper.

Painting on the Enamel

A gold or copper plate is coated with base enamel then fired. The colors are in powder form which the enamel-painter dilutes as and when they are needed using an oily or semi-oily essence, before applying them with a fine brush. Each color is dried then fired before the next is applied. A work can be fired numerous times.

The Chinese market pocket watch is the pocket watch that specially made for the Chinese market in the 18th to 19th centuries by European watchmakers. It was originally used as a tribute to the Qing Dynasty royal family and spread among the public gradually. Many cases were generally made of silver, brass, gilt brass or silver, and decorated with painted enamel with pearls or precious jewels.