POCKET WATCH WITH THE PORTRAIT OF FERDINAND II, EMPEROR OF THE HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE
Augsburg, first quarter of the 17th century
Jerg Ernst
Gold, shell, steel; casting, carving, hammering, fretwork, enamel
Jerg Ernst
Gold, shell, steel; casting, carving, hammering, fretwork, enamel
The collection of the Moscow Kremlin Museums features an amazing work of watchmaking art –
a miniature pendant timepiece, the decoration of which is dedicated to a famous European ruler of the late 16th - first half of the 17th century.
a miniature pendant timepiece, the decoration of which is dedicated to a famous European ruler of the late 16th - first half of the 17th century.
The pocket watch came to the Armoury Chamber in 1810 from the collection of Count A.I. Musin-Pushkin, a famous historian, archaeographer and collector of antiquities. In her study, Yu.N. Zvezdina remembers
A.S. Musin-Pushkin, Russian envoy to England and extraordinary ambassador in Hamburg, who helped Empress Catherine II to build up the Hermitage collection; in 1779, Emperor Joseph II granted him the title of Count of the Holy Roman Empire. It remains a mystery whether the appearance of the timepiece with the portrait of Emperor Ferdinand II can be linked to this member of the great Musin-Pushkin family.
A.S. Musin-Pushkin, Russian envoy to England and extraordinary ambassador in Hamburg, who helped Empress Catherine II to build up the Hermitage collection; in 1779, Emperor Joseph II granted him the title of Count of the Holy Roman Empire. It remains a mystery whether the appearance of the timepiece with the portrait of Emperor Ferdinand II can be linked to this member of the great Musin-Pushkin family.
Decorated with bright enamels and cameos, this gold timepiece presents an elaborate allegorical mission to glorify the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, Ferdinand II. On the top cover of the watch there is a cameo of the Emperor in profile, and on the bottom there is also a cameo of the Emperor on horseback.
The cameos are finely carved with great attention to detail. Allegorical figures of virtues, executed in bright enamels, are hidden on the inside of the lids. The top cover depicts Wisdom with a sword and scales in her hands, while the bottom one shows Justice with a mirror. The same personifications glorifying the ruler appeared in painting and monumental art at the time.
The decorative design of the case is festive, with bright enamel details on the sides – red and blue flowers on slender green stems, and elegant decoration on the dial. There are miniature multi-coloured flowers and leaves with a garland of fruit at the bottom and a bird above the Roman numeral XII. The cameo with the profile of Ferdinand XII bears inscriptions: "Ferdinandus II. Rom(Anorum) Imp.(erator) Sem.(per) Aug.(ustus)" – Roman Emperor, the most august; the key plate reveals the name of the master: Jerg.Ernst.