20214M-001

Reptiles at night This unique piece represents Siamese crocodiles swimming by night among water lilies, in a tribute to this critically endangered Asian reptilian species. To capture the nocturnal atmosphere of the picture, the enamel painter called on the highly complex technique of grisaille enamel au blanc de Limoges, a white, oil-based enamel that he drew out and sculpted with a tiny brush and a needle on a ground of midnight-blue translucent enamel. He thus obtained skillful monochromes that suggest the pattern of waves in the water created by the crocodiles’ movements and lend an impression of volume to the water-lily leaves. He then introduced contrast, illuminating the centers of the flowers with gold powder. Each enameled plate required 10 firings at temperatures ranging down from 780°C to 740°C. An hour circle in black lacquer presents applied hour markers in gilt inspired by crocodile’s fangs, and pierced lozenge-shaped hands in yellow gold recalling the heads of the reptiles as they emerge from the deep. A wavy sunburst motif, adorning the dial center and visible through gray translucent enamel, evokes the track left by the moving reptile on the water’s surface. This attention to realism continues through to the base of the clock, where the water lilies – each an applied jewelry ornament – are set on a ground of shiny obsidian. This clock is powered by a 17’’’ PEND mechanical movement rewound by an electric motor.