Posted 13 years ago
Agram.m
(762 items)
Exquisite French Circa 1800's pocketwatch silver case. Center Rose-cut diamond. Encrusted with tiny teardrop shaped diamonds and larger Rubies on the outer ring. Intense blue enamel with underlying pattern. Fine Repousse workmanship. Marked: 18 K 0.750. Size: 22.8mm outer bezel opening. 18.75 inner bezel opening outer case approx 29mm width approx 29.6mm height. Condition: very good
Missing one tiny teardrop shaped diamond, some light scuffs/patina from age, nothing of note (see photos).
Could I ever get a fitting watch for it?
18 K 0.750 CANNOT BE 1800.DECIMAL SYSTEM WAS USED MUCH LATER, CLOSE TO THE TURN OF THE 19TH CENTURY.``FRENCH`` IS DUBIOUS; FRANCE HAD VERY STRICT AND WELL ESTABLISHED HALLMARKING SYSTEM FOR BOTH GOLD AND SILVER, NOT CONSISTENT WITH ``18 K 0.750``LATER RE - STRIKING IS OUT OF QUESTION BECAUSE THE ENAMEL WOULD CRACK;IT WAS HALLMARKED PRIOR TO GUILLOCHE ENAMELING.
Hello Ivan49,
Thanks for your comment. Could it not be that the outer (blue Guilloche decorated case) is from around 1800. That at a later time another watch was placed in the case. A 18K 0.75 hallmarked case. After that , perhaps because it was broken, the watch was put out. The hallmark is on the insite of the inner case?? Please again your opinion?
The crucial point is whether 18 K and 0.750 is struck in enameled plate; if so, and as far as I can see it was, it is decimal hallmarking. Again, cannot be hallmarked later – the enamel would crack. It really looks older and perfect craftsmanship the way rose diamonds and rubies were set in. Is it a watch case for sure? It seems rather shallow case even with two pins well bent; does it have a back plate to be closed? Even if it had and removed there should be traces of removed hinges. Possibly a locket or a pendant. But even so, there must be a loop at the top or even traces of it if removed. Ladies watches have never been kept in pockets without a chain. Regardless, it is 19th century piece. Are hallmarks in the ring and in other pieces the same?
On French hallmarking; for example, a jeweler made a chain 10 inches long and took it to hallmarking office, hallmarks struck, duties (taxes) paid depending on weight, and then jeweler returned back to his shop and added another 10 inches of chain, the total length being 20 inches and the weight doubled, but taxes paid for much shorter chain.
No way! The number and position of hallmarks struck into the clasp clearly indicate the length of the chain.
In UK unscrupulous silversmiths ``duty dodgers`` inserted into a large piece a small disk bearing marks from an article on which a low tax had been paid, but as said it was not possible in France.
Thanks again for your clear comment Ivan49. And you are right, the hallmarked inner plate (18k /0.750) could be put on later. And there are no more traces to find that it could have had a plate to be closed. So, after all I think you are right it could have been in origin a locker or pendant. Because I like to wear it myself I've asked a jeweler to make a small loop of silver with a little rubin through the hole in what's already there, without caused any damage, so I can wear it as a pendant. And after all it's a very beautyful jewel and a very nice little piece of craftmanship and history. Thanks again.
bratjdd thanks for loving my items.
Yes it's me again. I wish you would open a Jewelry Store, I would be the first one there. What more can I say, other than the fact that I love all of the above.
Kathycat, it is a pity, but outside of myself no one can enjoy there. That is why it is so nice to share the beauty with jewelry here on the site. Thanks for your nice words and you know, you are always welcome to take a real look!
Thanks for loving mustangtony!
CindB and DrFluffy thanks for your love.