Spaulding & Co 1901 By Verger Freres Edwardian Watch-Pendant In Guilloche 18Kt Gold Platinum And Diamonds

An Edwardian Neo-classic Watch designed by Verger Freres for Spaulding & Co.

A fabulous and magnificent watch pendant, created by Ferdinand Verger Freres in platinum, 18 karats yellow gold, diamonds, & guilloche enamel. This is a one of a kind and very rare timepiece with an enameled grisaille miniature, painted in an oval panel which is signed with the monogram FP by the French master enameller artist Fernand Paillet. This piece was originally sold during the Edwardian period, circa 1900 at the luxury retailer store of Spaulding & Co. located in heart of Chicago, Illinois.

The center oval painting depict a semi-draped woman (Venus?) advancing and holding a trophy with a winged cupid child behind carrying a cup and a bouquet of flowers.

The dial is pearled-silvered with black Arabic numerals in a double thin black frame, with blackened steel arrows and still with the original beveled cut glass.

Diamonds: The oval painting is accented around by a platinum frame, which is mount with 36 Old French rose cut diamonds with a combined weight of 0.72 carats.

Weight: Combined of 18.55 Grams, (11.85 Dwt).

Measurements: 26 mm by 36 mm by 7 mm (1.02 x 1.42 x 0.28 Inches).

Hallmarks: Stamped with French marks, the eagle's head for the assay and warranty of the 18kt gold, the maker's maitre cartouche VR for Verger Freres, the serial numbers and signed in full, "(The Case) VERGER FRANCE 747559 (The Dial)**SPAULDING & CO. FRANCE** (The Movement) MADE FOR SPAULDING & CO. BY VERGER FRANCE EIGHTEEN (18) JEWELS FIVE ADJUSTMENTS".

Other miniature works by Paillet

Fernand Paillet (1850-1918)

He was a French figurine artist, miniature portraitist and jewelry designer. Was born in 1850 in Niort, France and was trained by Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse. Paillet exhibited at the Salon de Paris in 1873, worked between 1879 and 1888 in the porcelain factory at Sevre and established a studio in Paris in 1890. He became renowned for his figurines, made in bronze and ceramic. He painted portraits of American socialites of the Gilded Age. His portrait sitters included Edith Wharton, the American novelist of the Belle Epoque and miniatures for the Peter Marié collection, now preserved by the New-York Historical Society. He was the miniature painter for the Parisian jeweler Boucheron, working very early on in the Art Nouveau style. Since its founding in 1858, Boucheron creation of exquisite timepieces has led to its nickname "the jeweler of time." Paillet also designed jewelry, a pendant he designed for Marcus & Co., another luxury jewelry retailer in New York, is exhibited at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.

Verger Frères

They was synonym for watches, clocks and jewelry of unparalleled creativity and design, inevitably evokes the ever popular Edwardian and the Art Deco periods. The celebrated house was founded in Paris in 1872 by the talented jeweler and watchmaker Ferdinand Verger (1851-1928). His sons Georges and Henri, as gifted as their father, joined the firm which, in 1911, was renamed Verger Frères, introducing the famous trademark "VF" in a lozenge-shaped stamp, the acknowledged mark for the most esteemed Art Deco pieces. In the years to follow, the manufacture reached its peak, excelling in the production of the most creative designs of the period. Verger Frères creations are distinguished by their innovative use of precious materials and the outstanding workmanship of their watches, clocks, stands, jewelry and frames. Although often associated with Vacheron & Constantin, Verger also worked with all of the great houses of the time, among them Ostertag, Van Cleef & Arpels, Janesich, Lacloche, Jaeger and Boucheron in Europe, and Tiffany, Black, Starr & Frost, Spalding & Co. and J. E. Caldwell in the United States, just to name some.

Spaulding & Co.

They was a retailer of jewelry and luxury goods located in Chicago, Illinois. Was established and incorporated in 1888 with a paid-in capital of $500,000. Mr. Henry A. Spaulding, one of the founders, and the first president of the company, had for years been prominently identified with the jewelry house of Tiffany & Co. Mr. Spaulding had a long relationship with Black, Ball & Co. and then Tiffany and Co. both the world leading jewelry houses of the day. He was with Tiffany from 1871 through 1889 when he opened Spaulding & Co. in Chicago Illinois. Spaulding & Co. also maintain a branch establishment in Paris at 36 Avenue de L'Opera, said to be the most conspicuous American addition to that city in the way of adornment and trade. The showrooms are handsomely decorated in white and gold, and the "evening room," draped in black velvet, like the "gem boudoir" of the Chicago house, is of special interest to the large number of visitors who throng the place. The Paris house was of special value in connection with the American house, as it enables them to secure all the newest Parisian novelties as they make their appearance. And in this regard, it may be said that Chicago, with its close proximity to the mineral wealth of the great Northwest, is rapidly becoming the center of the jewelry trade of the country.

The Edwardian era, like the Georgian and Victorian eras before it, derives its name from the reign of the English King, Edward VII (1901-1910). Edwardian jewelry is known for representing femininity while incorporating a lot of the color white. Think diamonds, pearls and white metals like platinum and white gold. Diamonds often had an Old Mine or European cut and sapphires were a popular choice for a pop of color. They tended to be made from platinum and diamonds – the more, the merrier – and used fashionable, intricate techniques such as filigree and millegrain. Edwardian rings are works of art and best worn alone or alongside a simple wedding band. Millegraining, a new decorative technique made possible by the use of platinum, is featured often on Edwardian jewelry. Its border of delicate balls and ridges surrounding a gemstone or on the knife sharp edges of a design served to give jewelry a softer, lighter look.

Note: Grisaille is a painting executed entirely in shades of grey or of another neutral greyish colour. it is particularly used in large decorative schemes in imitation of sculpture.

Note: Guilloché is used in fine jewelry to enhance the appearance of brooches, rings and pendants. Guilloché enamel refers to metal pieces that have been given the Guilloché treatment and then covered with a translucent layer of enamel, giving the geometric patterns underneath the enamel a colorful hue.

Note: The movement is in working condition, it was recently serviced, cleaned and oiled.

Collateral: It is accompanied by a presentation jewelry box.

Condition: The overall condition of this piece is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the gold or the enamel. All diamonds are the original from the stated period. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.

INVENTORY REF: P081922MENM/.4447