98th Auction
2018/11/10
Lot 369
Attributed to Jean V. Mussard à Genève / Henry Massy, Charles Street, London, Movement No. 2595, 48 mm, 120 g, circa 1710
An important gold enamel verge pocket watch "Venus and Adonis with Cupid". This watch captivates us with its excellent condition and the outstanding quality of the work.
Case: 20k gold frame and polychrome enamel. Dial: enamel. Movm.: full plate movement, signed "Hen. Massy, London", chain/fusee, three-arm steel balance.
The back is decorated with a polychrome enamel painting of Venus and Adonis with Cupid. Four lateral vignettes with castles and farmsteads in mountain landscapes on the band are separated by yellow flower garlands. The interior is painted with a wanderer walking towards a bridge leading to a hamlet on the bank of a river; probably after a painting by Dutch painter Paul Bril (1556-1626). Three paste-stones open the case.
In early 17th century France, Blois was stronghold of the enamel painting and watchmaking industry. However, many Huguenot craftsmen were forced to leave their homes because of their religion - Pierre Huaud, founder of the Huaud dynasty, was one of them. He settled in Geneva in 1630 to work as an enameller; the Huauds’ creations stood out from the work of the Geneva school because of their inimitable beauty. They were not only highly treasured at the time but continued to be admired as masterpieces of art in the centuries that followed. Jean V. Mussard (1681-1754) was a cousin of the Huauds who became one of the most famous enamel painters of the early 18th century. His work was obviously inspired by that of the Huauds even if his motifs conformed to the prevailing taste of the Regency era - in addition to the religious and mythological subjects his pieces also show secular motifs.
According to Brian Loomes in "Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World", London 2006, p. 516, Henry Massy worked in Charles Street in London and was a member of the Clockmakers’ Company from 1692 until 1745. His father Nicolas (II) Massy was born in Blois in France and had come to London as a refugee, where he worked in Cranbourn Street; he had been a member of the Clockmakers Company from 1682 on and died in 1698. Father and son Massy were descendants of Nicolas (I) Massy, a renowned watchmaker in Blois, who became a master in 1623 and married in the same year. He was elected juré of the guild in 1646 and died in 1658.
We can assume that the Massy family never broke their ties to Blois.
An important gold enamel verge pocket watch "Venus and Adonis with Cupid". This watch captivates us with its excellent condition and the outstanding quality of the work.
Case: 20k gold frame and polychrome enamel. Dial: enamel. Movm.: full plate movement, signed "Hen. Massy, London", chain/fusee, three-arm steel balance.
The back is decorated with a polychrome enamel painting of Venus and Adonis with Cupid. Four lateral vignettes with castles and farmsteads in mountain landscapes on the band are separated by yellow flower garlands. The interior is painted with a wanderer walking towards a bridge leading to a hamlet on the bank of a river; probably after a painting by Dutch painter Paul Bril (1556-1626). Three paste-stones open the case.
In early 17th century France, Blois was stronghold of the enamel painting and watchmaking industry. However, many Huguenot craftsmen were forced to leave their homes because of their religion - Pierre Huaud, founder of the Huaud dynasty, was one of them. He settled in Geneva in 1630 to work as an enameller; the Huauds’ creations stood out from the work of the Geneva school because of their inimitable beauty. They were not only highly treasured at the time but continued to be admired as masterpieces of art in the centuries that followed. Jean V. Mussard (1681-1754) was a cousin of the Huauds who became one of the most famous enamel painters of the early 18th century. His work was obviously inspired by that of the Huauds even if his motifs conformed to the prevailing taste of the Regency era - in addition to the religious and mythological subjects his pieces also show secular motifs.
According to Brian Loomes in "Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World", London 2006, p. 516, Henry Massy worked in Charles Street in London and was a member of the Clockmakers’ Company from 1692 until 1745. His father Nicolas (II) Massy was born in Blois in France and had come to London as a refugee, where he worked in Cranbourn Street; he had been a member of the Clockmakers Company from 1682 on and died in 1698. Father and son Massy were descendants of Nicolas (I) Massy, a renowned watchmaker in Blois, who became a master in 1623 and married in the same year. He was elected juré of the guild in 1646 and died in 1658.
We can assume that the Massy family never broke their ties to Blois.
Sold
estimated
15.000—35.000 €
Price realized
11.600 €