Rich. JOHNSON, London Lot n° 42

Watch "polissonne" in gilded and enamelled metal with a hidden erotic scene Case on hinge, the back with a decoration of a bouquet of flowers in a vase on a white background, the circumference turquoise blue, secret opening with two erotic scenes, the interior under the movement with a red flower on a white background. White enamel dial with Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the minutes, minute track around the perimeter, "poker hands" and key winding opening. Mechanical movement with key winding, chased and pierced cock, spiral balance, regulating disc, verge escapement, fusee and chain, signature on the plate "Rich Johnson London 18845". Diam. 46.5 mm Going back to antiquity, we find erotic frescoes like those discovered by archaeologists beneath the ruins of Pompeii. The representation of erotic subjects was common in ancient Rome and Greece but later abandoned, particularly under the influence of the Church in medieval times. In the 18th century, many decorative enamelled watches appeared, like the one here, made in London. While the decorative painting is clearly visible, with a typical theme like a bouquet of flowers, the erotic scenes are hidden in a secret compartment in the back of the case. Richard Johnson, the watchmaker who made this "saucy" watch, is listed in the Dictionary of Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World, G.H. Baillie, p. 172. He was active in London in 1775 and it can be assumed that this piece was a special commission at the time. Erotic watches made by the English and then the Swiss appeared at the same time, but few examples have come down to us.