Live Auction 2835Important Watches
MAUBOUSSIN VERY RARE YELLOW GOLD, MOTHER-OF-PEARL, DIAMOND, EMERALD, RUBY AND SAPPHIRE-SET AUTOMATON CLOCK WITH MUSICAL BOX OF A HARLEQUIN PLAYING THE MANDOLIN
Lot 3661

MAUBOUSSIN VERY RARE YELLOW GOLD, MOTHER-OF-PEARL, DIAMOND, EMERALD, RUBY AND SAPPHIRE-SET AUTOMATON CLOCK WITH MUSICAL BOX OF A HARLEQUIN PLAYING THE MANDOLIN

NO. 43796, CIRCA 1990

Closed2 December 2010

Price Realised

HKD 1,580,000

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MAUBOUSSIN

VERY RARE YELLOW GOLD, MOTHER-OF-PEARL, DIAMOND, EMERALD, RUBY AND SAPPHIRE-SET AUTOMATON CLOCK WITH MUSICAL BOX OF A HARLEQUIN PLAYING THE MANDOLIN
NO. 43796, CIRCA 1990
Quartz movement, 18k gold Harlequin playing the mandolin set with mother-of-pearl, diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires, supported by an 18k gold clock set with rubies, sapphires and emerald numerals, decorated with mother-of-pearl sides and gold relief, all upon a rectangular lacquered base on medium wood also decorated with mother-of-pearl and 18k gold, 18k gold music on/off button set with rubies, sapphires and emeralds
Dimensions: H 350 mm ( Harlequin H 235 mm. + Base H 115 mm.) x W 320mm. x D 220 mm.

Specialist note

US$70,000-100,000

The present lot is a 'tour-de-force' by the renowned French Jeweler Mauboussin and the music box specialist Reuge. Inspired by a clown musician from the Italian impromptu comedies from the 17th century, the present automaton is impressively incrusted with precious stones and gold. The Harlequin himself weighs 1.6kg of 18k gold, is set with 16 carats of diamonds, 8.8 carts of emeralds, 28.6 carats of rubies, 18.7 carats of sapphires and mother-of-pearl set over the Harlequin chest. The Harlequin moves his hands, legs and head in gestures of expression whilst playing the mandolin with melodies taken from the Opera by Jacques Offenbach.