Bordier à Genève. Rare et insolite montre de gousset... Lot n° 22

Bordier à Genève. Rare et insolite montre de gousset à cadran ouvert en argent (800) avec décor érotique dissimulé en émail remontoir à clef Bordier à Genève. A rare and unusual silver key wind open face pocket watch with concealed erotic enamel decoration Date: Circa 1780 Movement: Gilt full plate cylinder, pierced and engraved balance bridge, gilt regulation Dial: White, black Arabic numeral hour markers, black outer minute markers, winding aperture at 2, blued steel hands Case: Polished hinged, two concealed enamel scenes with one depicting a pair of lovers courting and a further erotic image of the same couple Signed: Movement Size: 52mm Weight: 87,30g Footnotes: The Bordier family traced its roots to Isaac and Jacob Bordier who began making watches in the late 16th century. The current example dates to the late 18th Century and presents two scenes of the same courting couple. As erotic watches were not pieces flaunted around on a daily occasion, watchmakers had to be creative when it came to concealing images of a provocative nature. The young couple on this watch are thus hidden behind the case back. Upon initially opening the case back the couple are seen gazing into each others eyes whilst a birds nest - a lovers token - sits upon the mans hand. This innocent enough pair transform upon lifting the cuvette where a much more explicit portrayal of their romantic transgressions takes place. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com