Museum-Quality Antique 1769 Catherine The Great Easter Egg Clock – Royal Coach

An extraordinary, museum-grade horological artifact of monumental historical importance. Created circa 1769 for the Imperial Court of Empress Catherine II The Great, this masterwork desk clock embodies the pinnacle of 18th-century royal presentation art and luxury horology.

Long before the era of Fabergé, the tradition of presenting elaborate Easter eggs decorated with Imperial insignia was established at the highest levels of the Imperial Court. This exquisite creation combines the supreme mechanical skills of the renowned French watchmaker Blanchard with breathtaking silversmithing and enamel artistry. It was crafted as an exclusive royal gift to commemorate Easter during the reign of Catherine the Great, making it an irreplaceable treasure for collectors of royal provenance, fine antiquities, and early horology.

Design, Silversmithing & Imperial Insignia : The clock is designed in the form of a solid silver Easter Egg securely mounted atop an intricately sculpted, 18k gilt silver Royal Coach. The coach itself features fully functional, rotating wheels that allow the entire piece to move smoothly across a desk or display surface.

The silver surface of the egg is masterfully hand-engraved and adorned with high-relief Imperial iconography:

• The Personal Monogram of Empress Catherine II, crowned with the Imperial Royal Crown.

• The Imperial Coat of Arms, featuring the iconic double-headed eagle in gilt relief.

• Cyrillic Inscription “ХВ” (Христос Воскресе – “Christ is Risen”), celebrating the holy Easter tradition for which this piece was commissioned.

• Authentic Hallmarks, including the 84 silver purity mark, the official assay master’s mark clearly dated 1769, and the Imperial warrant seal.

Enamel Dial & Portrait Artistry Opening the hinged silver egg reveals a breathtaking, miniature enamel portrait dial of Empress Catherine II The Great in her full regal regalia. The dial is framed by a white chapter ring with crisp black Roman numeral hour markers. It is finished with its original, highly ornate luxury hands, completing a display fit for a sovereign.

The Blanchard Masterwork Movement Housed within the egg is a high-grade, entirely hand-crafted full-plate fire-gilt Verge Fusee movement signed by the famed French watch master Blanchard.

• Escapement: Verge Fusee with chain mechanism.

• Craftsmanship: Hand-pierced and deeply engraved balance cock, silver regulator disk (Avance / Retard), and elaborate fancy square pillars connecting the gilded plates.

• Originality & Preservation: Completely untouched and 100% original. Not a single component has ever been replaced, altered, or modified in over 250 years.

Detailed Specifications

• Maker: Blanchard (Signed on the movement)

• Era / Date: Circa 1769

• Provenance: Imperial Court of Empress Catherine II The Great

• Materials: Solid Silver (84 Hallmark) & 18k Gilt Silver (Ormolu finish)

• Overall Dimensions: 90mm High x 80mm Long

• Egg Details: Opens on a sturdy hinge; features Catherine II monogram, crown, double-headed eagle, and Cyrillic “ХВ” Easter engraving.

• Coach Details: 18k gilt silver royal carriage with fully functional, rolling wheels.

• Hallmarks: 84 silver standard hallmark, 1769 assay master mark, and Imperial warrant seal.

• Accessories: Comes complete with a properly fitted matching winding key.

• Operational Status: Perfect working condition. The mechanical movement operates smoothly (naturally keeping time within reasonable expectations for a 250+ year old verge escapement).

Condition Report

• Overall Condition: Phenomenal, museum-grade condition throughout.

• Case & Silverwork: The 84 silver egg and 18k gilt silver carriage exhibit a magnificent, untouched patina with razor-sharp engravings and relief work. The hinges are firm, and the egg closes cleanly. The coach wheels turn effortlessly.

• Dial: The enamel portrait dial is exceptionally clean, retaining vivid colors without hairlines, chips, or restoration.

• Mechanics: The fire-gilt Blanchard movement is exceptionally clean, running smoothly with an intact fusee chain.

Terms, Shipping & Handling This one-of-a-kind historical treasure will be handled with white-glove care. It will be meticulously packed in a custom, climate-insulated container to guarantee absolute safety in transit. Dispatched via expedited international courier with full tracking, insurance, and direct signature confirmation required upon delivery. Please inspect all high-resolution macro photography provided to appreciate the extraordinary detail, original condition, and historical magnitude of this 1769 Catherine the Great presentation clock. Feel free to contact us with any technical or provenance questions prior to bidding.

It comes with an appraisal certificate for $15,000.00.

Free shipping to worldwide,fully insured(possible byDHL overnight courier)

NOTE:PLEASE OBSERVE CAREFULLY THE PHOTOS! IT IS A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE DESCRIPTION. Every possible defect which is shown in the photos,but not mention in the description,will be considered for described.All the photos shoot by professional Nikon 105 Macro lens under 40x diopter magnification,so you can explore even the smallest detail like under microscope!