Watch
ca. 1650
Medium
Rock crystal, silver, enamel
Dimensions
Overall: 2 × 1 1/2 in. (5.1 × 3.8 cm)
Classification
Horology
Culture
French, Paris
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.190.1621
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite "Watch" by Parisian watchmaker Pierre-Martin Sche, dating to around 1650, exemplifies pinnacle of French horology during the early Baroque era. Crafted from translucent rock crystal, silver, and enamel, the diminutive timepiece—measuring just 2 × 1 1/2 inches—takes the form of a cross blending functional innovation with devotional symbolism. Rock crystal, a prized material for its clarity, allowed viewers to glimpse the intricate inner mechanisms, while enamel provided vibrant, durable decoration, techniques honed by Paris's master craftsmen amid Louis XIV's rising courtly splen...