Patek Philippe & Cie. A very fine and rare 18K gold lady's pendant watch and chain with repoussé case depicting Hercules, Omphale and Cupid
Case no. 227903, Movement no. 117895, Circa 1900
Nickel finished lever movement, jeweled through center, escapement with moustache counterpoise, bimetallic balance, wolf's teeth winding gears, gold cuvette, white enamel circular dial, black Arabic chapters with outer minute ring, gold scroll hands, hinged case back depicting Hercules, Omphale, and Cupid within shell and scroll border, bezel chased with scrolls and foliage, the contemporary, possibly associated, pendant chain spaced at intervals by rosettes and scrolls, accompanied by another gold chain of bar links, case, dial, and movement signed. 28mm, weight of rosette and scroll chain: 7.3 grams, weight of bar chain: 10.1 grams
Nickel finished lever movement, jeweled through center, escapement with moustache counterpoise, bimetallic balance, wolf's teeth winding gears, gold cuvette, white enamel circular dial, black Arabic chapters with outer minute ring, gold scroll hands, hinged case back depicting Hercules, Omphale, and Cupid within shell and scroll border, bezel chased with scrolls and foliage, the contemporary, possibly associated, pendant chain spaced at intervals by rosettes and scrolls, accompanied by another gold chain of bar links, case, dial, and movement signed. 28mm, weight of rosette and scroll chain: 7.3 grams, weight of bar chain: 10.1 grams
Sold for
US$ 8,750
inc. premium
Footnotes
- After murdering his friend, Iphitus, in a fit of madness, Hercules traveled to the Oracle of Apollo, wishing to expiate this horrific act. The Oracle replied that he must serve as a slave to Omphale, Queen of Lydia, for three years. During his service, Omphale made Hercules her lover, and eventually, her husband. Visual depictions of the legend show Hercules seated beside Omphale with Cupid nearby. Often the couple are depicted as having exchanged attributes, with Omphale wearing Hercules' lion's skin and holding his club, while he is nude or wears women's clothes and holds a distaff or spindle. The subject was not favored in classical Greek art, but was found in Hellenistic times, and served as a commentary on eroticism and gender roles. In Renaissance and particularly Baroque painting the legend came to represent woman's domination of man.
Another Patek Philippe watch with similar chasing signed by Georges Hantz was sold at Antiquorum on May 15th, 2005.
Category: Clocks and Watches / Watches
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