Patek Philippe. A fine enameled 18K gold "Day and Night" hunter cased fob watch after sculptures by Albert Bertel Thorvaldsen


Date: dated 1872 on cuvetteMovement: Gilt 17-jewel bridge pattern, lever escapement, moustache counterpoise, bimetallic balance, flat spring, stem wound and set with wolf's tooth gearing, no. 38646Dial: White enamel, pale blue chapter ring with black roman numerals enclosing subsidiary seconds and decorative rosette, blued Breguet handsCase: Chased 18K gold, the lids with finely painted enamel allegories of Night and /day after Bertel Thorvaldsen, signed and dated gold cuvette, no. 38646Size: 41mm
|Several examples of this case are recorded including one of 1868, illustrated in Huber and Banbery Patek Philippe, figs, 38-a,b,c.The Danish Neoclassical sculptor Albert Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844), sometimes referred to as the Danish Canova, spent most of his working life in Rome. According to Rosenblum and Janson, "he became Rome's most admired artist ... his studio, with its display of original plasters, was a pilgrimage goal for countless prominent visitors as well as aspiring artists." Thorvaldsen produced more than 90 freestanding sculptures, over 150 portrait busts, and some 300 reliefs in marble and bronze.He created the pair of marble reliefs "Night" and "Day" in 1815. Extremely popular as a decorative motif, the designs were reproduced throughout the 19th century. A bronze copy of Thorvaldsen's 1839 self-portrait, placed in Central Park NY in the 1890's, remains today near 96th Street and Fifth Avenue. His "Night and Day" adorns the pedestal. (forgottendelights.com/thorvaldsen.html)