Alexis Falize
Enamelled travel clock Japonisme
Description
A rare small carriage clock in Japonisme style, designed by Alexis Falize (1811-1898) and made by the French jeweler Gustave Baugrand (1826-1870) and enameler Antoine Tard.
The enamel on the travel clock has a base of turquoise blue with images of birds, branches and flowers in Japanese style. The base has a lacquer red surface, decorated in white, yellow and green with Chinese motifs. The handle is made of silver, the dial has a shiny red base with a blue-green dragon, the swirly hands are made of gold. The door at the back is enamelled in royal blue on the inside and features gold wirework with Baugrand's signature in stylized characters imitating Japanese calligraphy.
For this rare work in the oriental taste of the 1860s, Baugrand hired the talented enameler Antoine Tard. He was an exceptionally good enameler who first worked for Christofle et Cie and then together with Alexis Falize and his son Lucien. Together they rediscovered this enamelling technique and applied it to gold jewelry, with decors inspired by Japanese motifs and colors reminiscent of ancient Chinese cloisonné. Tard became the undisputed specialist in this technique and received numerous awards, including first prize at the Exhibition of the Central Union of Decorative Arts in 1869 and a bronze medal at the 1878 World's Fair.
France, circa 1870.