Fine, rare and beautiful Swiss plique-a-jour enamel and 18K gold ladies antique pendant watch
circa 1890.
The case back decorated with a high relief iris against a transparent multicolor enamel
background. White enamel dial with black numerals, gold and silver minute markers, and
fancy gold hands. Gilt 10 jewel cylinder movement.
"Plique-a-jour (French for ""letting in daylight"") is a vitreous enameling technique where"
the enamel is applied in cells, similar to cloisonne, but with no backing
in the final product, so light can shine through the transparent or translucent enamel.
It is in effect a miniature version of stained-glass and is very challenging technically
with a high failure rate.
