There was great demand for enamel watches among wealthy Dutch patrons; however, in the seventeenth century, nearly all enamelers who worked on watchcases were French or Swiss. Enameled cases were therefore imported empty to be fitted with Dutch movements, like this early balance spring watch. The scene on the cover, the Old Testament story of Elijah and Rebecca at the well, is almost certainly French in origin.
Additional Views (4)
Watch
Maker: Watchmaker: Johannes van Ceulen (Dutch, active 1675–1715)
Enameler: Painted enamel possibly by Henri Toutin (French, 1614–1684)
Enameler: Raised enamel possibly by I. Josias Belle (French, 1624–1695)
Date: ca. 1676–80
Culture: Dutch, The Hague movement with French, Paris case
Medium: Case: painted enamel on gold, and raised enamel on gold; Movement: gilded brass, partly blued steel, and silver
Dimensions: Diameter (case): 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm); Diameter (back plate): 1 15/16 in. (4.9 cm)
Classification: Horology
Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number: 17.190.1417
Description
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Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History