A SWISS JEWELLED ENAMELLED AND VARI-COLOUR GOLD THREE COMPARTMENT AUTOMATON SNUFF-BOX AND TIME-PIECE

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A SWISS JEWELLED ENAMELLED AND VARI-COLOUR GOLD THREE COMPARTMENT AUTOMATON SNUFF-BOX AND TIME-PIECE

GENEVA, CIRCA 1810/1815

Details

A SWISS JEWELLED ENAMELLED AND VARI-COLOUR GOLD THREE COMPARTMENT AUTOMATON SNUFF-BOX AND TIME-PIECE
GENEVA, CIRCA 1810/1815
oval-shaped case, the central rectangular cover finely painted with an enamel scene depicting Romeo and Juliet, with the Nurse in the background, framed with split pearl border, the hinged demi-lune side panels set with wavy translucent blue enamel over an engine-turned ground, the bezels set with split pearls, the sides and base set with panels of translucent blue enamel within taille d’épargne sky-blue enamel foliate borders, the left-hand compartment concealing a chased vari-color gold automaton with a couple, in a painted capricci, on a moving see-saw with a cherub playing on a lyre, the right-hand compartment containing two dials in white enamel, one for hours and minutes, the other for seconds, with a third half-dial for regulation
4¼ in. (105 mm.) wide
The watch movement is semi-circular in design and has gilded plates and cocks. The escapement is a cylinder with a going barrel mainspring. The movement is wound by a key and runs for 30 hours and the winder turns clockwise to wind. There are no markings on the movement but, the design and construction would indicate Swiss manufacture. The musical movement is stamped with the number 789 and the letter C. It too, would appear to be of Swiss manufacture. It plays two tunes on a pinned barrel and graduated tuned comb. The automaton movement is driven directly from the musical movement. There are no markings on the movement, but it appears to be contemporary with the musical movement and was probably made by the same workshop.

Special notice

These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

Brought to you by

Victoria Drummond

vdrummond@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2699

Lot Essay

Although unmarked the present box is an exceptional example of the high quality of objects produced by the most eminent craftsmen in Geneva. The combination of music, automata, and time piece places this in the rarest class of boxes made in Geneva during the early years of the nineteenth century. These extraordinarily complex and beautifully decorated objects were much coveted by collectors in Europe and Overseas, most particularly in the Far East.

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