1164 - Pendule de bureau Kienzle Pan American du roi Leopold III. Provenant de la succession d’un gendarme au service du roi Leopold III et de la princesse Lilian. Pendule circulaire en laiton dore, a index egalement en laiton dore, dont le cadran represente un planisphere avec indication des fuseaux horaires et affichage du jour et de la nuit dans sa partie inferieure. Signee de l’horloger allemand Kienzle, modele Pan American. Mecanisme a reviser. La pendule est fixee sur un socle rectangulaire dore portant une plaque gravee de l’inscription « Au Roi Leopold III, grand voyageur et explorateur ». Selon la provenance familiale, cette pendule se trouvait dans le bureau personnel du roi Leopold III et fut offerte a son ancien proprietaire par la princesse Lilian, en remerciement des services rendus et en temoignage de la sympathie qui les unissait. Le gendarme, ancien proprietaire de cet objet, etait entre au service du couple royal au chateau d’Argenteuil, ou il etait charge de la surveillance du domaine et de la securite personnelle de ses occupants, notamment de celle de la princesse Lilian. Une relation de confiance, de respect mutuel et presque d’amitie s’etait progressivement etablie entre eux. C’est dans ce contexte que la princesse lui aurait offert plusieurs souvenirs de son defunt epoux. Apres le deces de la princesse Lilian en 2002, le gendarme termina sa carriere au Palais royal. Kienzle Pan American desk clock belonging to King Leopold III of Belgium. From the estate of a Belgian gendarme who served King Leopold III and Princess Lilian. Circular gilt-brass desk clock with matching gilt-brass hour markers. The dial features a world map displaying the time zones, with a day-and-night indicator in the lower section. Signed by the German clockmaker Kienzle, Pan American model. The movement requires servicing. The clock is mounted on a rectangular gilt base bearing an engraved plaque inscribed “Au Roi Leopold III, grand voyageur et explorateur” (To King Leopold III, great traveller and explorer). According to the family provenance, this clock stood in King Leopold III’s private study and was presented to its former owner by Princess Lilian in gratitude for his services and as a token of the affection between them. The gendarme, the former owner of this item, had entered the service of the royal couple at Chateau d’Argenteuil, where he was responsible for the security of the estate and the personal protection of its occupants, particularly Princess Lilian. Over time, a relationship of trust, mutual respect and almost friendship developed between them. It was in this context that the princess reportedly presented him with several mementoes of her late husband. Following Princess Lilian’s death in 2002, the gendarme completed his career at the Royal Palace.