Balance cock / coque de montre
18th century
Medium
metalwork
Classification
metalwork
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1925-2-69
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection of metalwork, *Balance cock / coque de montre* is a delicate 18th-century artifact from an unknown artisan. This intricate piece, likely a protective cover or "cock" for the balance wheel in a pocket watch—known in French as *coque de montre*—exemplifies the precision engineering of horology during the Enlightenment era. Watchmaking flourished in Europe at this time, blending artistry with scientific innovation as clockmakers vied to create ever-more reliable timepieces for the growing merchant class and nobility. Crafted in metal, t...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...