18K Gold Enamel Chinese Market Pocket Watch

Inventory Number: PW1905009

Made circa 1810, 31mm, 18K gold open-face enameled case with pearl-set. The enamel scene depicts with a small dog and a pearl-set tree. The painting of the enamel scene was attributed to renowned enamel painter Jean-Louis Richter. 

Functions:  hours and minutes. 

The artisans who made these case-back and cover had to surmount many difficulties, among them the preparation of the background representing the sky, partially guilloché (engine-turned), or engraved in taille-douce. The decoration en épargne (the trees and vegetation), later set with half-pearls, had to be completed before the enameling process began. Here various techniques were used: painted enamel, translucent enamel, and a final layer of flux (fondant in French). The setting of the many different-sized pearls would have been an exacting task: certain pearls were glued and they mock setting prongs are added. This type of workmanship is characteristic of Jean-Louis Richter (1766-1841), who is known for his signed snuff-boxes, among other things.

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 the 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.