·amura·
114
los conquistadores •
the conquerors
mitológicos, y algunos plenamente seculares. Juntos,
demuestran a gran escala el talento que se gestó en
esa época para un mercado exótico; relojeros, orfebres,
expertos en arte en esmalte, y grabadores trabajando
juntos para fabricar obras maestras diseñadas para
encantar a dignatarios chinos.
La reputación global que han obtenido los relojes
fabricados en Ginebra y Suiza durante este periodo,
particularmente con China, tiene sus raíces en la corte de
Constantinopla (Estambul), que tenía extensas relaciones
con la ciudad de Ginebra desde principios del siglo XVII.
of the talents mobilized in that era for an exotic market.
Watchmakers, goldsmiths, enamellers, and engravers
worked hand in hand to create masterpieces designed to
charmChinesedignitaries.
The global reputation of timepieces made in Geneva
and of Switzerland’s watch trade with the Orient, par-
ticularlywithChina, had its roots at the court of Constan-
tinople (Istanbul) with which Geneva had entertained
close relationships since the early 17th century. Bypass-
ing French diplomats – the Edict of Nantes had just been
revoked in 1685 – Geneva’s watchmakers benefited from
3.
TheAbduction
ofHelen
Pairofmatching
mirror-image
ovalssnuffboxes,
withmusicatwill
AttributedtoJohnRich
(activeinLondon
andGenevafrom
theendofthe18th
centurytocirca1825)
Geneva,circa
1796/1810
Gold,enamel,pearls
a :H.58.6mm./L.91.1
mm./T.30.4mm.
b :H.58.5mm./L.91.3
mm./T.29.6mm.
1.
ThePeaches
Pairofmatching
mirror-imagewatches
intheshapeofapeach
withsmallseconds
(subsidiarydialat
6o’clock)
Ilbery(firmactive
betweencirca1780
andcirca1840)
LondonandGeneva,
circa1810
Gold,enamels,pearls
a :H.83.7mm./Ø54.8
mm./T.22.6mm.
b :H.82.6mm./Ø55.3
mm./T.25mm.
2.
AmorousDuel
Pairofperfume-
sprayerflintlock-pistol
incorporatinga
watchMouliné,
Bautte&Co.(partners
from1804to1808)
Geneva,circa1805
Gold,enamel,
pearls,agate
a :H.54.2mm./L.110.4
mm./T.15.4mm.
L.withthefloweropen:
126.8mm.
b :H.56.2mm.
L.111.2mm./
T.15.8mm./L.with
thefloweropen:12
1
2
3
