John Kenable, Frith Street London / attributed to Jean-Abraham Lissignol, 54 mm, 101 g, circa 1800. A remarkable and large gold and enamel pocket watch of high quality, made for the Chinese Market, with centre seconds and exquisitely painted enamel plaque “The Shepherdess of the Alps”, after a painting by Angelika Kauffmann (1741-1807) and an engraving by Francesco Bartolozzi (1728-1815). Case: 18k gold, polychrome enamel. Dial: enamel. Movm.: full plate movement, lavishly florally engraved, going barrel, cylinder escapement, three-arm brass balance.

At least six are known bearing the signature of John Kenable of Frith Street, Soho in London. Three of these are in oval cases, and a further three in normal round cases. They are all of large size and notably slim. It is certain that the movements were made in Switzerland, and can be compared to pieces from the Jaquet-Droz workshop. It is most likely that the enamels were also executed in Geneva or possibly by a Genevan artist working in London. The enamels have been attributed as possibly by Lissignol, but in his Will, Kenebel makes a generous bequest to his sister, whose married name was Lionhard (sic) and who was living in Rolle, Switzerland. Whether there is any connection with the famous family of painters and enamellers, the Liotards, is speculation, although it is interesting to note that Jean-Etienne Liotard moved close by to Nyon in 1786 where he concentrated on enamel painting.