Watch with a portrait of Nicholas I, czar of Russia (r. 1825–55) 1845 - 1860

This watch with a portrait of Nicholas I, Czar of Russia, was made in Russia between 1840 and 1850 by the Firm of Perret and Cie. Court portraiture in this period served a clear ideological function: the consolidation of autocratic rule. Watches such as these weren't merely functional; they also signaled the wearer's allegiance to the Imperial court. Note the opulence of the gold and enamel work. These elements speak to the wealth and power associated with the Romanov dynasty during a period of intense social stratification. The choice of medium, a personal accessory, suggests that devotion to the czar permeated even the most intimate aspects of life. To truly understand this object, historians consult not only art historical sources but also social and political documents from the period. This allows us to appreciate the watch as a symbol of authority within its specific historical context.