Watch
18th century
Medium
Gold, enamel, copper
Dimensions
Diameter: 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm)
Classification
Horology
Culture
French, Paris
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Joseph W. Drexel, 1889
Accession Number
89.2.70
Art Historical Context
Step into the elegant world of 18th French horology with this exquisite pocket watch crafted by Julien Le Roy, renowned Parisian master clockmaker whose innovations elevated timepieces to the status of fine art. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, this diminutive treasure—measuring just 1 7/8 inches in diameter—exemplifies the opulence of Louis XV-era luxury goods from Paris, a global hub for precision craftsmanship. Fashioned from gold, enamel, and copper the watch showcases virtuoso techniques in metalworking and enameling, where thin layers of...