Description
A savonette with a spring lid distinguished a lady of the Belle Époche around 1900, and with the delicately enameled irises from the iris family in hand-engraved cartouches, she professed herself as a modern woman at that time.
The elegant appearance of the iris (Greek: rainbow) had inspired the young generation, the “youth” to her style. For the ancient Greeks, the iris stood for the messenger of the gods between Olympus and the realm of the dead. For Christians, it is the flower of Mary, the Mother of God. For other artists, however, it evokes more erotic thoughts.
The small pocket watch is a real flatterer of the hand. It is wound via the crown, the enamel dial with Roman numerals and railroad minute markers is in pristine condition, as are the original Louis Quinze hands. The movement has been overhauled and is fully functional.
