PROBABLY BY HENRI MAILLARDET, GENEVA, CIRCA 1800/1810

Details

AN IMPORTANT SWISS SPLIT-PEARL SET AND ENAMELLED GOLD MOUSE AUTOMATON
probably by Henri Maillardet, Geneva, circa 1800/1810
Realistically shaped gold mouse automaton, the gold body strewn with baroque half-pearls and painted in opaque white enamel simulating fur, the eyes of cabochon sapphires, translucent red enamelled snout and nostrils, engraved gold ears, belly and articulated legs, woven gold mesh tail, the belly with two wheels and key-hole; with a key
4½ in. (116 mm.) long

Provenance

Dr Anton C. R. Dreesmann (inventory no. F-99).

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

This is one of half-a-dozen mice recorded, notably in the Patek Philippe Museum, Geneva, in the Bowes Museum, Co. Durham, and in the Sandoz Collection. They correspond to the 'beautiful sourie d'or' exhibited by Phillipstal and Maillardet in London in 1811.

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