Museo Galileo
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Single-hand oignon
    • Setting:
      Room XVIII
    • Maker:
      Nicolas Gribelin [attr.]
    • Place:
      Paris
    • Date:
      late 17th cent.
    • Materials:
      gilt brass, enamel
    • Dimensions:
      diameter 62 mm; thickness (with glass) c. 41 mm
    • Inventory:
      3847
    • Single-hand oignon (Inv. 3847)
    • Single-hand oignon (Inv. 3847)

Richly engraved and decorated oignon watch [French for "onion," referred to in Italian by the pejorative cipollone or "big onion"]. Has a movement with chain fusee and verge escapement. The gilt brass dial has blue Roman hour numerals on white enamel cartouches. The single hand is of burnished steel. Signed "Gribelin à Paris," in all probability the watchmaker Nicolas Gribelin.