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Auction archive: Lot number 303

ART DECO EGYPTIAN REVIVAL MOTHER-OF-PEARL, ENAMEL, LAPIS-LAZULI, CORAL AND GOLD "TEMPLE GATE" CLOCK

Auction 24.04.1991
24 Apr 1991
Estimate
US$100,000 - US$150,000
Price realised:
US$1,540,000
Auction archive: Lot number 303

ART DECO EGYPTIAN REVIVAL MOTHER-OF-PEARL, ENAMEL, LAPIS-LAZULI, CORAL AND GOLD "TEMPLE GATE" CLOCK

Auction 24.04.1991
24 Apr 1991
Estimate
US$100,000 - US$150,000
Price realised:
US$1,540,000
Beschreibung:

ART DECO EGYPTIAN REVIVAL MOTHER-OF-PEARL, ENAMEL, LAPIS-LAZULI, CORAL AND GOLD "TEMPLE GATE" CLOCK Depicting a temple gate, the door forming a rectangular, mother-of-pearl dial with luminous gold Roman chapters, the hands in the form of lotus blooms above an enamelled scene of divinities, within a polished coral and mother-of-pearl portico, incised with fanciful heiroglyphics, divinities and lotus flowers, the tapered sides applied with lapis-lazuli motifs suspending carved coral bamboo ring handles, with lapis-lazuli base and top, the striped white enamel entablature set with the enamel and gem-set figure of a goddess, the mother-of-pearl reverse with concealed door opening to reveal the winding apertures, the quarter striking movement by Drocourt, No. 2980 with fine nickel escapement platform and straight line lever, finished and signed by European Watch and Clock Co. No. 95504, the case bearing French hallmarks, makers marks M.C. for Maurice Coüet , with original leather fitted case and numbered key--6 x 9 3/8 x 5 in. (15.2 x 23.8 x 12.7 cm), circa 1927 Signed by Cartier, France No. 1607, 0635 THE "EGYPTIAN TEMPLE GATE" CLOCK Among the most significant of civilised mankind's achievements is the art of ancient Egypt. It was a traditional and timeless art, bringing to life the mysteries of an ancient civilization and thriving for over five thousand years in the valley of the Nile. From the Renaissance onward, the classical arts were taught in every European academy, emphasizing the mysterious beliefs concerning the afterlife, and were of compelling interest. Periodic revivals of Egyptian art occur in cycles of about 50 or 60 years. European interest in the ancient Nile civilization reappeared during the 18th Century with the newly discovered frescoes at Herculaneum and Pompeii depicting Egyptian motifs such as the Isis figure. The Egyptian revival provided a recurring theme in design throughout the 19th Century, with roots in the Napoleonic conquest of the Nile. Ancient Egyptian motifs became dominant elements in the Empire style, promoted by the first architect/interior designer team of Percier and Fontaine. Another neo-Egyptian style swept Europe during the reign of Napoléon III, exemplified by the lavish production of Verdi's Aida in 1871, commemorating the opening of the Suez Canal and the inauguration of the Cairo Opera House. While it is likely that there would have been a further revival in the 1920's, the discovery of King Tutankhamen's tomb in 1922, by Howard Carter (1873-1939), financed by Lord Carnarvon (1866-1923) released a wave of excitement which swept the fine arts, literature, fashion and film. It was the most sensational archaeological discovery of the 20th Century. An ancient myth had been reborn and the lore of Pharaonic Egypt continues today. Throughout the 19th Century jewelry in the Egyptian taste was being created by such distinguished jewelers as Lalique, Mellerio, Boucheron, Baugrand, Lemonnier and of course Cartier. In England, the Italian jeweler Carlo Giuliano was producing designs incorporating Egyptian motifs using cloisonné enamels as well as other advanced fabrication techniques unknown to the ancients. Objects such as clocks, cigarette and vanity cases, as well as jewelry, are particualrly well suited to this style. Unexpected colors and materials were in line with Art Deco philosophy, and were the same as those used in Egypt at around 20 BC. Art Deco jewelry and precious objects have consistently realized substantial prices in the sale room as demand has increased and supply diminished since the first landmark sale of the H. Robert Greene Collection of Art Deco at Christie's Geneva in November 1978. Cartier's first work in the Egyptian style was in the 1850's, when he created a scarab bracelet in pearls and enamel. These amuletic beetle forms remained a favorite Egyptian motif during the 19th Century. Among the firm's most sophisticated Egyptian Revival pieces, dating from the

Auction archive: Lot number 303
Auction:
Datum:
24 Apr 1991
Auction house:
Christie's
New York, Park Avenue
Beschreibung:

ART DECO EGYPTIAN REVIVAL MOTHER-OF-PEARL, ENAMEL, LAPIS-LAZULI, CORAL AND GOLD "TEMPLE GATE" CLOCK Depicting a temple gate, the door forming a rectangular, mother-of-pearl dial with luminous gold Roman chapters, the hands in the form of lotus blooms above an enamelled scene of divinities, within a polished coral and mother-of-pearl portico, incised with fanciful heiroglyphics, divinities and lotus flowers, the tapered sides applied with lapis-lazuli motifs suspending carved coral bamboo ring handles, with lapis-lazuli base and top, the striped white enamel entablature set with the enamel and gem-set figure of a goddess, the mother-of-pearl reverse with concealed door opening to reveal the winding apertures, the quarter striking movement by Drocourt, No. 2980 with fine nickel escapement platform and straight line lever, finished and signed by European Watch and Clock Co. No. 95504, the case bearing French hallmarks, makers marks M.C. for Maurice Coüet , with original leather fitted case and numbered key--6 x 9 3/8 x 5 in. (15.2 x 23.8 x 12.7 cm), circa 1927 Signed by Cartier, France No. 1607, 0635 THE "EGYPTIAN TEMPLE GATE" CLOCK Among the most significant of civilised mankind's achievements is the art of ancient Egypt. It was a traditional and timeless art, bringing to life the mysteries of an ancient civilization and thriving for over five thousand years in the valley of the Nile. From the Renaissance onward, the classical arts were taught in every European academy, emphasizing the mysterious beliefs concerning the afterlife, and were of compelling interest. Periodic revivals of Egyptian art occur in cycles of about 50 or 60 years. European interest in the ancient Nile civilization reappeared during the 18th Century with the newly discovered frescoes at Herculaneum and Pompeii depicting Egyptian motifs such as the Isis figure. The Egyptian revival provided a recurring theme in design throughout the 19th Century, with roots in the Napoleonic conquest of the Nile. Ancient Egyptian motifs became dominant elements in the Empire style, promoted by the first architect/interior designer team of Percier and Fontaine. Another neo-Egyptian style swept Europe during the reign of Napoléon III, exemplified by the lavish production of Verdi's Aida in 1871, commemorating the opening of the Suez Canal and the inauguration of the Cairo Opera House. While it is likely that there would have been a further revival in the 1920's, the discovery of King Tutankhamen's tomb in 1922, by Howard Carter (1873-1939), financed by Lord Carnarvon (1866-1923) released a wave of excitement which swept the fine arts, literature, fashion and film. It was the most sensational archaeological discovery of the 20th Century. An ancient myth had been reborn and the lore of Pharaonic Egypt continues today. Throughout the 19th Century jewelry in the Egyptian taste was being created by such distinguished jewelers as Lalique, Mellerio, Boucheron, Baugrand, Lemonnier and of course Cartier. In England, the Italian jeweler Carlo Giuliano was producing designs incorporating Egyptian motifs using cloisonné enamels as well as other advanced fabrication techniques unknown to the ancients. Objects such as clocks, cigarette and vanity cases, as well as jewelry, are particualrly well suited to this style. Unexpected colors and materials were in line with Art Deco philosophy, and were the same as those used in Egypt at around 20 BC. Art Deco jewelry and precious objects have consistently realized substantial prices in the sale room as demand has increased and supply diminished since the first landmark sale of the H. Robert Greene Collection of Art Deco at Christie's Geneva in November 1978. Cartier's first work in the Egyptian style was in the 1850's, when he created a scarab bracelet in pearls and enamel. These amuletic beetle forms remained a favorite Egyptian motif during the 19th Century. Among the firm's most sophisticated Egyptian Revival pieces, dating from the

Auction archive: Lot number 303
Auction:
Datum:
24 Apr 1991
Auction house:
Christie's
New York, Park Avenue
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