1700s French Leroy 18kt Gold, Diamond, & Enamel Royal Lady Motif Pendant Watch

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1700s French Leroy 18kt Gold, Diamond, & Enamel Royal Lady Motif Pendant Watch

About the Item

The present timepiece is made circa 1700s-1750s by the well known watchmaker Le Roy indicated by his signature on the back plate and is also serial numbered. The measurements are approximately 41mm across by 41mm top to bottom. The case is made with a double body Louis XVI style case which opens to fold outwards to reveal a movement beneath the dial. A mechanism used within this time frame for enamel pendant timepieces such as these. On the enamel side of the case, Leroy has chased the case with hand engravings of floral decoration and at the center is a hand painted enamel portrait of a royal lady dressed in royal attire. Surrounding the portrait of this carefully painted enamel scene, Le Roy further accented the motif by designing this piece with a rose-cut diamond frame suspended from a ribbon knot. On the reverse side, where the pendant watch reveals the time with a beautiful white enamel dial, roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring coordinate with gold Louis XV hands to tell the time. The timepiece has been recently serviced and works by winding it with a watch key to tell the time. Additionally, the pendant watch is accompanied with a later gold filled necklace used for photos purposes. Additional Background History on the Timepiece Firm Le Roy Julien Le Roy (1686-1759) was a major 18th-century Parisian clockmaker and watchmaker. He was born in Tours in 1686, and by the age of 13, had already made his first clock. In 1699, he moved to Paris for further training. He became maître horloger in 1713 and later juré of his guild. Further appointments followed, including the Directorship of the Société des Arts, but the pinnacle of his achievement was being appointed clockmaker (Horloger Ordinaire du Roi) to King Louis XV in 1739. He carried on his business from premises in the Rue du Harlay until his death in 1759. His son Pierre Le Roy (1717–1785), a brilliant clock-maker in his own right, carried on the business until the early 1780s. Another son, Julien-David Le Roy (1724–1803), was a neo-classical architect and archaeologist, author of the Ruins of the Most Beautiful Monuments of Greece. His third son, Charles was a physician and Encyclopédiste, and his fourth, Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, a physicist and Enclyclopédiste as well. Examples of his work can be found in many major museums around the world, including the Louvre in Paris, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Creator:
LeRoy
Metal:
18k Gold
Stone:
Diamond
Stone Cut:
Rose Cut
Dimensions:
Height: 1.62 in (41 mm)Width: 1.62 in (41 mm)
Style:
Regency
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
Early 18th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1700-1750
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
New york, NY
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU121236263371