ORIGINAL VINTAGE DAMASCENE 29mm diameter POCKET WATCH, ORO DE TOLEDO, CIRCA 1890
A BEAUTIFUL ARTWORK BY MASTER GOLDSMITHERS FROM TOLEDO, Spain.
DIAL: original white color enamel dial with black color arabig numbers surrounded by gold dots (see pics, please). Original hands. Dial is in excellent condition, no dings, cracks or hairlines.
MOVEMENT: original mechanical with manual winding movement, cylinder escapement, in running order (not checked for accuracy)
CASE: original STEEL case, masterfully decorated with a DAMASCENE artwork of a dragon or a griffin (see main pic, please) surrounded by and intrincate vegetal and floral motif. Bezel is also decorated with damascene work, showing a sinuous classic design (see pics, please).
The tiny pusher placed on case lateral between 12 and 1 hour, allows setting time.
Back cover is signed inside ACIER SWISS GARANTI.
MEASURES: 29mm diameter without crown or ring, 42mm high including standing ring.
ESTIMATED AGE: circa 1890
GENERAL CONDITION: very good+, please refer to the pictures.
Additional info
GOLD FROM TOLEDO" artwork or "Damasquino" (DAMASCENE) RAMOLAYÉ PUNCED ORNAMENT is a kind of ancient ornament made with gold thread orplate on hardenedsteel or iron; it was used specially for decoring military weapons like swords, daggers and firearms.
In addition to its swords, Toledo is renowned for its damasquinados, or damascene handicrafts and costume jewelry. Damascening is the Moorish art of inlaying gold or silver threads into black steel in a decorative pattern. The skill was used to decorate plates, jewels and weapons.
The damascene procedure requires creativity and the steady hand of a surgeon on small pieces. Artisans first use sharp tools to scratch the pattern into the black steel. They then push the gold or silver threads into the grooves and use a hammer to make sure the threads stay in place.
The art of damascening has been around for centuries. The Egyptians, Greeks and Romans are known to have practiced it. Around the15th century, it grew in popularity in Europe and came to prominence in Toledo.
An old master artisan from Toledo told me several years ago: “The gold is gold. But the work is more important than the gold.”