Objekt 13
Gold enamel clock
Description
On the dial is a Diana hunting, on the back of the case in equally fine enamel painting a "Caritas Romana". The story of the Caritas Romana comes from the Roman poet Valerius Maximus. In it, the philosopher Cimon is sentenced to death by starvation. Only his daughter is allowed to visit him in the dungeon. While there, she feeds the starving father by secretly giving him her breast. When the prisoner does not die even after a long imprisonment, the judges become suspicious and finally learn the reason. Impressed by the daughter's love and mercy, they pardon the condemned man. The "Caritas Romana" is considered a symbol of charity and inspired numerous paintings.
Object description
Manufacturer: Abraham Caillatte (1642-1710) (movement), Jean-Pierre Huaud (1655-1723)
(case)
Geneva, around 1680
Gold, brass gilded, silver, steel partly blued, enamel, glass
Signatures: Abraham Cailatte (movement), P. Huaud l'aisné pinxit à Genève (case)
Deposit Dr. Eugen Gschwind Foundation, Basel, G.51
Inv. 1983.1051.