ATTRIBUTED TO MOULINIÉ, BAUTTE & MOYNIER, 18K GOLD, RUBY AND PEARL-SET OPENFACE CYLINDER WATCH, MADE FOR THE CHINESE MARKET

Although unsigned this sumptuously decorated timepiece made for the Chinese market can be attributed to the celebrated firm of Moulinie, Bautte & Moynier, famed for their watches and musical objects made in gold, enamel, jewels and pearls.

The company only traded under the name of Moulinie, Bautte & Cie. for four years from 1st October 1804. It was formed by the former child prodigy goldsmith Jean-François Bautte with business partners Jacques-Dauphin Moulinie and Jean-Gabriel Moynier. The firm supplied their costly treasures to clients in China, India, Spain, Italy, France, England and Austria. In addition to the store in Geneva, they had branches in Paris and Florence. In 1808, the company was re-named Moulinie, Bautte & Moynier.