A. Enderlin à Bale

A rare Basle quarter repeating 8-day "Oignon" with polychrome enamelled balance bridge, depicting a portrait

Sold

estimated

6.000—10.000 €

Price realized

6.900 €

specific features

Case

Silver, pierced, rear bell.

Dial

Firegilt, chased and engraved, enamel cartouches with black radial Roman numerals, separate enamel cartouches with black radial Arabic numerals for the minutes, blued steel hands.

Movement

Full plate movement, florally engraved, 1 hammer, chain/fusee, three-arms steel ring balance.

Diam.58 mm

Circa1710

Ctry.Switzerland

Wt.162 g

This is a typical example of an "oignon" - a large watch fitted with a simple construction and easily readable dial, which is lovingly embellished. The back is decorated with a repoussé relief of Venus and Cupid. The edge of the case is openworked in a grid pattern and ornamented with volutes and rocailles to emphasise the beautiful sound of the repeater. The balance cock is fitted with a polychrome enamel portrait depicting a distinguished lady, playing a lute. The beautiful movement has an eight day power reserve.

Andreas Enderlin (1681-1733) descended from an important family of clock and watchmakers in Basle and later in Strasbourg. Some of the works of the Enderlin family are in the historical museum in Basle.
Source: "Meister der Uhrmacherkunst" (masters of watchmaking) by Juergen Abeler, 2nd edition, Wuppertal 2010, p. 136.