The De Bethune DB25 Imperial Fountain collection

Based on the IXème inframonde Maya special series, and building on the wealth of accomplishment involved in such a creative work, De Bethune presents a set composed of 12 art pieces, the DB25 Imperial Fountain. The solid gold dials are adorned with animal symbols of the Chinese zodiac hand-engraved with a free interpretation of the bronze heads surrounding the fountain of the former Summer Palace nestling in the Yuan Ming Yuan garden near Beijing, China.

Each of the central engravings done by artist Michèle Rothen, featuring a bas-relief depiction of one of the twelve animal heads, is adorned with Grand Feu enamelling using the delicate and highly precise technique of translucent enamel applied to chased reliefs. So as to conceal nothing of this colourful and sculptural decor, slender flame-blued steel hands sweep gracefully around the dial periphery.