Watch and case

Watchmaker: John Ellicott British

Enameler Case possibly decorated by Jean-Pierre Huaud, known as the younger Huaud Swiss

Enameler or possibly decorated by Ami Huaud Swiss

ca. 1760

Not on view

Jean-Pierre and Amy Huaud went into partnership in Geneva in 1682, but worked in Berlin from 1686 until 1700. When working together, they often signed their enamels in the way found on this watchcase: Les deux frères Huaut les jeunes. In 1700, they returned to Geneva, where they made watchcases for export. One of the Huauds' more popular designs, this enamel illustrates the story of Roman Charity as recounted in Book IX of De factis dictisque memorablilis by the Roman historian Valerius Maximus. As a representation of filial piety, it was well-known in seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Europe, and it was the subject of many paintings, including several by Peter Paul Rubens. 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 have recorded a living model.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Watch and case
Maker: Watchmaker: John Ellicott (British, 1706–1772)
Enameler: Case possibly decorated by Jean-Pierre Huaud, known as the younger Huaud (Swiss, 1655–1723)
Enameler: or possibly decorated by Ami Huaud (Swiss, 1657–1724)
Date: ca. 1760
Culture: British, London
Medium: Gold, enamel
Dimensions: Diameter: 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm)
Classification: Horology
Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Object Number: 17.190.1414a, b
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

Watch, Jean Romilly, Painted enamel on gold, French, Paris — Watch
Watchmaker: Jean Romilly
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Case maker: Ami Huaud
first half 18th century

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labeled Richard Meares
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Repeating watch, Francis Perigal British, Case: partly enameled gold; Dial: white enamel with black numerals and silver hands set with diamonds; Movement: gilded brass and partly blued steel, British, London, for Turkish market — Repeating watch
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or Francis Perigal Jr.
probably ca. 1770

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Clockmaker: John Ellicott
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