Watch

Pierre Duhamel|Pierre Huaud, père

ca. 1660–80 · Case: painted enamel on gold; Movement: gilded brass and steel, partly blued · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

A French Huguenot refugee from Blois, Duhamel became a master watchmaker in Geneva, where he was known as a maker of movements for rock crystal and enameled cases. Pierre Huaud was born in Châtellerault, France, and emigrated to Geneva in 1630, where he became a master goldsmith and enamel painter. He was the father of Jean-Pierre and Amy, who between them signed the rest of the Swiss enamels displayed here. This watch has no balance spring, and the style of the enamel appears to be finer than the others in a series of painted enamels with so-called helmeted busts, one of which is signed by Jean-Pierre Huaud (1655–1723).

Artist

Pierre Duhamel|Pierre Huaud, père

Date

ca. 1660–80

Medium

Case: painted enamel on gold; Movement: gilded brass and steel, partly blued

Culture

Swiss, Geneva

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917