Live Auction 2612Important Watches
SWISS VERY RARE, 18K GOLD AND ENAMEL FIVE AUTOMATON OPENFACE CYLINDER POCKET WATCH, MADE FOR THE CHINESE MARKET
Lot 2788

SWISS VERY RARE, 18K GOLD AND ENAMEL FIVE AUTOMATON OPENFACE CYLINDER POCKET WATCH, MADE FOR THE CHINESE MARKET

NO. 6407, CIRCA 1820

Closed29 May 2008

Price Realised

HKD 667,500

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SWISS

VERY RARE, 18K GOLD AND ENAMEL FIVE AUTOMATON OPENFACE CYLINDER POCKET WATCH, MADE FOR THE CHINESE MARKET
NO. 6407, CIRCA 1820

Finely-engraved and chased movement with cylinder escapement, plain three-arm brass balance, brass cuvette, the finely painted enamel dial depicting buildings within a rural landscape, the three-coloured gold sculptured automaton scene featuring three winged boys making and sharpening their arrows, sometimes referred to as the "Forge of Love", the figure on the left moving his arm and leg, the central figure moving his arm and the figure on the right also moving his arm activating the bellows to the roaring furnace with coloured glass depicting the flames, small white enamel time dial with Arabic numerals, blued steel hands, blue enamel decorative border, the automaton scene activated by a small lever in the band, in plain case stamped CL
Diameter: 56 mm.

Specialist note

US$30,000-50,000
EUR20,000-33,500

The first automatons appeared in Geneva in the late 18th century, small technical marvels imitating the movements of living creatures of beings, ranging from simpler "Bras en l'air" figures whose arms would indicate the time to incredibly complex works such as pastoral, theatre or work/home scenes. Some of these automata were fitted with repeating or musical mechanisms and were highly appreciated works of art not only in Europe but also by Chinese and Ottoman dignitaries.