Lot 320

Duponchel

Pietra Dura

A remarkable, very fine and rare Parisian pocket watch with "Pietra dura" inlay, eccentric dial and matching charm

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The back and the dial are decorated with a fine marquetry of blood-stone, lapis lazuli, nephrite and white jade, set in a rosette pattern; the band set with the same alternated stones.
While the Italian Pietra dura inlay work assembles all the stones within a frame, this piece has every single piece of stone set in a gold frame, similar to the Cloisonné-technique. This type of case and dial is not only remarkable because of the unusual work technique but also because of the exceptional skill required to work with these very thin pieces. To the best of our knowledge there are less than ten other watches of this type known today.

Duponchel company was the result of a collaboration between the goldsmith and jeweller Jean-Valentin Morel (1794-1860) and Henri Duponchel (1794-1868). Duponchel was successively a French architect, interior designer, costume designer, stage designer, stage director and managing director of the Paris Opera. Totally ignorant of goldsmithing, Duponchel brought to the enterprise taste and energy, as well as considerable capital to the jewellery business, which initially traded under the name "Morel et Cie". After several visits to London, he was convinced that the artistic standard of goldsmithing in France was comparable to that in England. The company became very successful; at the exhibition of 1844 "Morel et Cie" received a gold medal.
At the end of 1846, Morel and Duponchel fell out, which led to the dissolution of the company. Morel went to London and Duponchel awarded sole possession of the property and merchandise. Duponchel successfully continued the gold and silver business with other associates as evidenced by his participation in the 1849 World Exhibition.
Duponchel died in Paris at the age of 73, his business was taken over by his wife; finally it was closed in 1869.