Lot 447

Etienne Boisson, 54 mm, 122 g, circa 1710
A fine pair-cased verge pocket watch with mock pendulum and concealed cryptic erotic enamel medallion "troquon - minon" - the exchange
Case: outer case black leather, stud decoration, inner case silver. Dial: silver, Champlevé. Movm.: full plate movement, chain/fusee, brass balance.
When the case opens and the movement folds over, an amusing erotic scene is visible on the back plate of the movement: a beautiful young woman holds a mouse by the tail and offers to swap with her pet cat, who in turn holds an object the young lady ardently desires. The words "troquon minon" are written above the charming scene - they can be loosely translated as "exchange is no robbery".
Originally part of the Sandberg Collection, sold at Antiquorum in 2001 (lot 131).