Lot Essay
US$50,000-70,000
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AN IMPORTANT COLLECTION FROM A FAMILY TRUST
THE LYRE
SWISS. AN 18K GOLD, ENAMEL AND PEARL-SET LYRE-FORM MUSICAL TIMEPIECE WITH THREE FIGURE AUTOMATON AND VISIBLE BALANCE, MADE FOR THE CHINESE MARKET
UNSIGNED, CIRCA 1820
Details
SWISS. AN 18K GOLD, ENAMEL AND PEARL-SET LYRE-FORM MUSICAL TIMEPIECE WITH THREE FIGURE AUTOMATON AND VISIBLE BALANCE, MADE FOR THE CHINESE MARKET
Unsigned, circa 1820
Watch movement is gilt-finished with cylinder escapement, white enamel dial with Arabic numerals, subsidiary dial above showing the visible decorative and diamond-set balance, enamelled masking with blue background, the dials flanked by stylised urns and floral arrangements, the time dial flanked by translucent red enamel on guilloché background, pearl-set bezel, the lyre-form case realistically modelled, scrolled sides set with black enamel, set throughout with pearls, shaped base with light blue enamel, the reverse showing a musical automata scene, three multi-coloured gold figures moving in time to the music, the lady to the left playing a hurdy-gurdy, her arm moving up and down, seated is a boy beating the drum, when a gentleman to the right dances his whole body moving up and down, finely painted enamel background of trees, river and fields, the gilt-finished musical pin barrel movement concealed under the automata, the top of the lyre surmounted by two chased doves, unsigned
60 mm. high
Unsigned, circa 1820
Watch movement is gilt-finished with cylinder escapement, white enamel dial with Arabic numerals, subsidiary dial above showing the visible decorative and diamond-set balance, enamelled masking with blue background, the dials flanked by stylised urns and floral arrangements, the time dial flanked by translucent red enamel on guilloché background, pearl-set bezel, the lyre-form case realistically modelled, scrolled sides set with black enamel, set throughout with pearls, shaped base with light blue enamel, the reverse showing a musical automata scene, three multi-coloured gold figures moving in time to the music, the lady to the left playing a hurdy-gurdy, her arm moving up and down, seated is a boy beating the drum, when a gentleman to the right dances his whole body moving up and down, finely painted enamel background of trees, river and fields, the gilt-finished musical pin barrel movement concealed under the automata, the top of the lyre surmounted by two chased doves, unsigned
60 mm. high