Watch

Case maker: Jean-Pierre Huaud, known as the younger Huaud Swiss

Case maker: Ami Huaud Swiss

first half 18th century

Not on view

The story of Roman Charity, as recounted in Book IX of De Factis Dictisque Memorabilis by the Roman historian Valerius Maximus, was well known in seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Europe. As a representation of filial piety, it was the subject of many paintings, including several by Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640). The origin of the version used by the Huauds is not known, and the female figure of Pero, who breastfed her incarcerated father, Cimon, in order to save him from starvation, may in fact record a living model. The watchcase was one of the Huaud’s more popular designs, probably as much for its liberal exposure of feminine flesh as for the moral of the story.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Watch
Maker: Watchmaker: Jean Romilly (1714–1794)
Maker: Case maker: Jean-Pierre Huaud, known as the younger Huaud (Swiss, 1655–1723)
Maker: Case maker: Ami Huaud (Swiss, 1657–1724)
Date: first half 18th century
Culture: French, Paris
Medium: Painted enamel on gold
Dimensions: Diameter: 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm)
Classification: Horology
Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Object Number: 17.190.1590
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

Watch and case, John Ellicott British, Gold, enamel, British, London — Watch and case
Watchmaker: John Ellicott
Enameler Case possibly decorated by Jean-Pierre Huaud, known as the younger Huaud
Enameler or possibly decorated by Ami Huaud
ca. 1760

Watch, Pieter Klock Dutch, Case: painted enamel on gold, Dutch, Amsterdam with Swiss, Geneva case — Watch
Watchmaker: Pieter Klock
Case maker: Jean-Pierre Huaud, known as the younger Huaud
Case maker: Amy Huaud
ca. 1700–10

Watch, Jean Romilly, Gold, enamel, zircons, French, Paris — Watch
Watchmaker: Jean Romilly
ca. 1780

Costume Armor in the Classical Style, Hallé French, Helmet: linen, papier-mâché, bole, gold leaf, graphite; tunic: silk, cotton, metal coils and spangles, metallic yarn, French, Paris — Costume Armor in the Classical Style
Helmet includes original paper label of Hallé
ca. 1788–90

Watch, Gold, enamel, pearls, French, Paris — Watch
French, Paris
19th century

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