Enamelled gold, quarter repeating watch, Paris, 1760-62, Romilly

V&A — Summary

The playful scene upon this watch depicts a musician leaning over a young woman in order to read his music, while another woman and a boy whisper together in the background. The practice of painting portrait miniatures in enamels developed out of the decorative work of goldsmiths and watchmakers in the French cities of Blois, Châteaudun and Paris. Portrait plaques had been made in the enamelling workshops of Limoges in central France during the 16th century, but in the 1630s, artist Jean Toutin adapted existing techniques to make the subtle colouring and delicate detail of enamel miniatures possible. Small objects like watches or snuffboxes were ideally suited to this technique and many were decorated with portraits and mythological or allegorical scenes. Artists throughout Europe continually refined their approaches to painting enamel portraits. While 17th century enamellers used a very fine stipple to create light and shade in their miniatures, artists in the 18th century began to use larger brushstrokes for a more fluid effect. Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.

V&A — Physical description

Enamelled gold, quarter-repeating watch with panels imitating moss agate. The back painted with a scene of a young flute player with three other figures in an interior. A large armoire to the left and a square stone column to the left are counter balanced in their solidarity by a massive waterfall of pale purple silk taffeta flowing into the composition from the upper right.

V&A gallery label

3. Quarter-repeating watch, 1760–61 Museum no. Loan:Gilbert.310-2008

V&A gallery label

Quarter-repeating watch 1760–1 This playful scene depicts a musician leaning over a young woman in order to read his music, while another pair whisper together in the background. Paris, France; Jean Romilly (1714–94) Enamelled gold Museum no. Loan:Gilbert.310-2008