Swiss silver-gilt enamel and mystery clock, a very rare novelty…
click the photo to enlarge
Swiss silver-gilt enamel and mystery clock, a very rare novelty clock by Plojoux, Switzerland, Having a gilt-metal movement, within a horizontal annular enameled silver-gilt dial with mirrored center, surmounted by a carved ivory putto on a gilt metal boat, raised on a circular enamel

You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.

Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item

When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
  • Ivory - Ivory is a hard white material that comes from the tusks of elephants, mammoth, walrus and boar, or from the teeth of hippopotamus and whales. The ivory from the African elephant is the most prized source of ivory. Although the mammoth is extinct, tusks are still being unearthed in Russia and offered for sale.

    Ivory has been used since the earliest times as a material for sculpture of small items, both in Europe and the east, principally China and Japan.

    In Asia ivory has been carved for netsuke, seals, okimono, card cases, fan supports, animals and other figures and even as carved tusks.

    In the last 200 years in Europe ivory has been used to carve figures, for elaborate tankards, snuff boxes, cane handles, embroidery and sewing accessories, in jewellery and as inlay on furniture. Its more practical uses include being used for billiard balls, buttons, and a veneers on the top of piano keys.

    The use and trade of elephant ivory have become controversial because they have contributed to Due to the decline in elephant populations because of the trade in ivory, the Asian elephant was placed on Appendix One of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), in 1975, and in January 1990, the African elephant was similarly listed. Under Appendix One, international trade in Asian or African elephant ivory between member countries is forbidden. Unlike trade in elephant tusks, trade in mammoth tusks is legal.

    Since the invention of plastics, there have been many attempts to create an artificial ivory
  • Putto / Putti / Amorino / Amorini - A putto (plural: putti) or amerino (plural: amerini) is a cherub or cupid frequently appearing in both mythological and religious paintings and sculpture, especially of the Renaissance and Baroque periods and later used as a decorative element in the design of furniture, ceramics, statuary etc. They are usually depicted as chubby males, or of indeterminate gender, often with wings. Their depiction may represent an association with love, heaven, peace or prosperity.
  • Movement - The technical name for the workings of a clock or watch, and does not include the dial or case.

This item has been included into following indexes:

Visually similar items

A George III sterling silver decanter coaster by John Roberts & Co, Sheffield, circa 1810, 14.5 cm high

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A vintage ivory bangle, plain half hooped.

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

Small Chinese green jade pot on three legs

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

Antique Christofle silver plated twin handled food warmer, approx 11.5 cm high, 29 cm wide

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.