BOUCHERON Paris 1920 Deco Desk Clock In 18Kt Gold Emeralds Jade Onyx Rock Quartz
An art deco chinoiserie desk clock designed by Boucheron-Paris.
This is a very rare and fabulous desk clock created in Paris France during the art deco period, back in 1920-22. The amazing luxury clock was designed with chinoiserie pattern by the jewelry house of Boucheron and carefully crafted with parts made up in solid yellow gold of 18 karats. The clock is embellished with twelve natural Colombian emeralds, two carvings of green jade and one carved piece of black onyx.
Chinoiserie and Orientalism
The term chinoiserie is from the French word chinois, meaning “Chinese” and refers to European artistic style that reflects the influence of China and is characterized by the use of Chinese designs, asymmetry, whimsical changes in size, the use of lacquered materials and abundant decoration. Chinoiserie entered Europe in about the last quarter of the 17th century and reached its peak in the mid-18th century, when it was assimilated by Rococo.
Country: Paris, France.
Period: Art-Deco, circa 1920.
Movement: Mechanical, hand winding.
Dial: Rectangular, vertical with carved jade, yellow gold frame and gold minutes and hours hands.
Materials: Yellow gold of 18 karats, carved black onyx, carved green jade, carved Colombian emeralds, hand cut rock crystal.
Emeralds: Mounted in prongs settings, with 12 Colombian translucent green emeralds, carved in the shape of cabochons leaves, with a total weight of about 13 carats.
Weight: 247.4 Grams, (158.60 Dwt.), (0.25 Kg.).
Measurements: H. 87.6 mm x L. 76.7 mm by D. 38.2 mm (3.45 x 3.02 x 1.5 Inches).
Hallmarks: All parts are stamped with French marks, five times with the marks of the eagle head for the assay and warranty of the 18Kt yellow gold, with the maker's mark Ste. B inside a lozenge cartouche associated to Boucheron.
Boucheron
Frédéric Boucheron founded the Maison Boucheron in Paris in 1858. To this day, the Boucheron jewelry house is known for its intricate, free-spirited style. Boucheron designs are always creative and display outstanding French craftsmanship and characterful stones. He quickly became well known for the exceptional quality of his precious stones. Around 1880, he was the first modern jeweler bold enough to engrave diamonds with flowers or arabesques, reviving an engraving technique that had been forgotten since ancient times. Always avant-garde and seeking modernity, in 1879 the jeweler devised the Question Mark necklace, which, for the first time ever, would be worn asymmetrically and would not have a clasp. Far from entrapping the jewel and those who wore it in some stranglehold, Boucheron liberated both the jewelry and the women, without resorting to ideology. He became the jeweler of free and independent women. In 1893, Frédéric Boucheron was the first of the great contemporary jewelers to open a boutique on place Vendôme. It was this move that gave meaning to the beginnings and to what followed. In this case, that of four generations of Boucheron, who, in the space of 160 years, built a style, a reputation, a know-how. This balance between perfect technical mastery and limitless artistic talent lies at the origin of each creation. Just as one sees the qualities of a stone before it is cut, or senses the radiance of a jewel before it is shaped, so Boucheron conceived of French jewelry before it existed.
Literature: Boucheron, Histoire D'une Dynastie De Joailliers, By Gilles Neret, Pont Royal 1972; Boucheron, Capturing the Sparkle, Patrick Wald Lasowski and Anne-Marie Clais, Editions Cercle d'Art 2005. For similar pieces illustrated.
Collateral: This Boucheron-Paris desk clock is accompanied by a presentation jewelry pouch.
Condition: The overall condition of this Boucheron-Paris desk clock is excellent. Beside the little normal wear there is no damage to the gold. The 12 emeralds and all parts are secured in the setting. This clock was carefully inspected to guarantee the condition & authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: D031826RENNM/5.947
