A rare niello and silver watchcase with a hunting scene, containing a miniature dachshund. Huguenin Fréres, Le Locle, Switzerland, late 19th century.

Switzerland, circa 1890.

The pocket watch case is made of 800/100 silver. The entire back of the case is decorated with the niello technique, a refined inlay of a black metal alloy in the grooves or spaces left by the engraving of a silver surface. The scene depicts two hunters, one of whom is gilded, in action in a thicket. The leaf decoration also continues on the edge of the front cover. Opening the back of the case, we find an engraving in Swedish: “VIKING ANKAR UR MED KONTROLLERAD GÅNG / HÖGSTA UTMÄRKELSER” (VIKING ANCHOR WATCH WITH CONTROLLED MOVEMENT HIGHEST EXCELLENCE). The case, made in Switzerland, was prepared for the Swedish company Viking. Fritz & Albert Huguenin (Huguenin Freres), Le Locle, Switzerland, the makers of the case, are identified by the mark ‘NIEL HF’ surrounded by a clover, clearly visible on the inside of the case. The case, which never became a watch (the Swedish import marks are missing), was used to create a striking enamel portrait of a black dachshund’s head on the back of the case. Switzerland, circa 1890.

6,8 CM – 2,75” H 5 CM – 2” L 1,2 – 0,50” CM D

REF: M6172