The Flute Lesson.John Ilbery, London, No. 1269, circa 1790.Very fine gilt metal and enamel pair-cased quarter-striking double-train clock watch made for the Oriental market.

C. Outer: two-body, the back with a finely painted on enamel scene of a young lady giving a flute lesson, in the style of the artist Nicolas Lancret (1660-1743), engine-turned bezels. Inner: two-body, 'bassine', band pierced and engraved with foliage, silvered rosettes and urns, polished back decorated with a single leaf branch, gilded dust cap. D. White enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute dot divisions, fifteen minute Arabic numerals. Gold skeletonised 'cathedral' hands. M. 44 mm o., hinged git brass full plate with turned baluster pillars, double-train, fusee and chain for the going train, verge escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, single-footed cock pierced and engraved with asymmetrical foliage, five-wheel striking train with fixed barrel, striking on a bell with two hammers.Signed on the movement and on the dust cap.Diam. 67 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 264-265.

Unsigned, English, circa 1790.Fine gilt metal pair-cased quarter-striking double-train clock watch, centre-seconds and stop feature, made for the Oriental market.

C. Outer two-body, pierced and engraved with foliage, the back with plain central reserve. Inner: two-body, decorated in similar manner. D. White enamel, Roman hour chapter, outer minute and seconds divisions with five-minute Arabic numerals. Gold skeletonised 'spade and poker' hands. M. 36.7 mm o., hinged gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, two-train, fusee and chain going train, duplex escapement, brass escape wheel, plain steel balance, single-footed cock engraved in geometrical pttern with a diamond endstone. Striking on a bell with two hammers, strike/silent lever at 9 o'clock, stop watch lever at 4 o'clock.Diam. 51 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 264-265.

Beauty and DignityThomas Beatson, London, No. 375, circa 1790.Very fine gilt metal pair-cased quarter-striking and repeating double-train clock watch, centre-seconds, made for the Oriental market.

C. Outer: the back with an enamel panel of a peacock-tail design, of blue translucent enamel over radial guilloché, decorated with opaque green enamel and gold paillon crescents under a clear overglaze, the band with pierced and engraved foliate work. Inner: two-body, the band matching the outer case decoration, the back cover engraved with a leaf rosette, gilded dust cap. D. White enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute and fifth second divisions, Arabic five minute/seconds numerals. Gold 'cathedrl' hands. M. 40 mm o, hinged gilt brass full plate with turned pillars, the back plate entirely decorated with scrolls, flowers, and leaves. Two-train, going train with fusee and chain, cylinder escapement, overbanking pin directly on the staff, brass escape wheel, plain three-arm balance with blued-steel balance spring, English-style cock symmetrically pierced and engraved with leaves alternating with fleur de lis, balance jewelled, the top pivot with diamond endstone. Fixed barrel with five-whel train. Striking on a bell with two hammers, strike/silent lever at 3 o'clock, repeater at 8 o'clock.Signed on the dust cap.Diam. 64 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 264-265.

The OfferingWilliam Carpenter, London, No. 4531, circa 1790.Fine and rare triple-cased gilt metal and enamelled automaton watch with concealed erotic scene, centre-seconds and stop feature, made for the Oriental market.

C. Outer: two-body, 'bassine', pierced band, the back with plain oval reserve surrounded by four flower bouquets, bezels pierced and engraved with foliate decoration, the front with red and green paste stone border. Middle: the bezel with a geometrical pattern in relief, set with alternating pearl and green paste stones, the back with a painted enamel scene showing three classically dressed women making an offering to the God of Love. Inner: two-body, 'bassine', polished. D. White enamel, the Roan chapter ring is set eccentrically at the top, with outer Arabic seconds ring. Gold 'beetle and poker' hands. Aperture at the bottom for the automaton, which is activated by a lever at 2 o'clock. The automaton comprises five hunting scenes which rotate automatically every few seconds. After the last hunting scene there is an 'after the hunt' automated scene, in which a gentleman enjoys a different kind of recreation. M. 52.6 mm o, hinged dial plate, gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillas, two-train, going train with fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, single-footed cock pierced and engraved with symmetrical foliage with an urn at the base, diamond endstone, the automaton, which is activated by a lever at 2 o'clock, is driven from a fixed barrel, the last pinion with a small flirt in adjustable bushing for controlling the speed. Gilded dust ring around the movement.Signed on the movement.Diam. 83 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 262-263.

Joseph Blundy, London, No. 114, circa 1790.Fine gilt metal pair-cased astronomical coach watch with centre-seconds, day of the week, age of the moon, regulator-type dial and stop feature, made for the Oriental market.

C. Outer: two-body, 'bassine', box hinged, the bezel foliate engraved and set with alternating white and ruby paste stones, back with a plain oval reserve. Inner: gilt, polished. D. White enamel, four subsidiary dials. On the right, Roman hour chapter ring, symmetrically to the left, the Arabic minute ring, at the top the age of the moon, and below the days of the week, with outer Arabic seconds ring. Gilded hands. M. 60 mm o, mounted to the dial plate, gilt brass full plate with column pillars,fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, single-footed gilded cock pierced and engraved with asymmetrical leaf decoration and an engraved man and a woman at the base, ruby endstone. The centre-seconds stop lever at 8 o'clock.Signed on the dial and the movement.Diam. 85 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 260-261.

The Measure of a ManWilliam Staples, London, circa 1785.Very fine and rare gilt metal pair-cased animated erotic, astronomical, three-train, quarter-striking double-face musical coach watch, playing two tunes, age of the moon, date, and centre-seconds, made for the Oriental market.

C. Outer: two-body, the bezels pierced and engraved with foliage. On the back, an enamel painting of two women on either side of the statue of an author and playwright, one apparently taking the measure of the figure. Below, an aperture reveals either an innocuous scene of people walking, or an erotic scene. Inner: two-body, glazed on both sides, band pierced and engraved in the same manner as the outer case. D. White enamel with three subsidiary dials, the chapter ring with Arabic numerals sett the top, on the lower right, day of the month concentric with tune indication - jig or air - and silent, on the left, age of the moon with concentric, sixty minute slow and fast dial regulator, with outer Arabic seconds ring. Brass 'spade' hands. M. 84.7 mm o, mounted to the dial plate, hinged gilt brass full plate with baluster pillars, three-train, fusee and chain for the going train, cylinder escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, continental type double-footed cock pierced with three ached spokes. The clock watch mechanism with fixed barrel and five-wheel train. Musical movement: Fixed barrel with seven-wheel train, pinned drum, six bells with five hammers. The music and the revolving disc activated by a lever at 4 o'clock. The music plays on the hour or on demand. The animation is activated by a wheel mounted on the extension of the third wheel in the musical train, which drives a disc with two concentric painted scenes. The disc is conceived so as to allow the choice of theouter, more proper scenes, or the inner, erotic ones.Signed on the dial and the movement.Diam. 135 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 258-259.

The WatermillUnsigned, English, circa 1785.Very fine and rare gilt metal double-face, two-train, hour striking and repeating musical automaton coach watch, playing two tunes, with centre-seconds, made for the Chinese market.

C. Three-body, 'Consular', glazed on both sides, the bezels with concealed hinges, pierced and engraved with foliage, flowers, and harps, and set with alternating pearl and blue paste stones. The back with a painted on metal animated rural scene with a family followed by a horse and cart, while other people pass over a bridge under which there is a turning waterwheel. D. White enamel with eccentric Roman chapter set at the top, at the bottom, the pierced and engraved balance cock with regulatinghand, the outer centre-seconds indication with Arabic numerals. On the left a paste-set rosette for tune change, on the right an identical rosette for strike/silent. Gold 'beetle and poker' hands. M. 75 mm o, gilt brass full plate with column pillars, two-train, reversed power fusee and chain, cylinder escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, brass escape wheel, atypical cock pierced and engraved with foliage, visible through an aperture in the dial, and semi-circular regulator scale at the botom.Musical movement: Reversed power fusee and chain, five-wheel train, pinned cylinder playing two tunes on five bells with five hammers. The music and the automaton activated by pressing the button in the pendant.Diam. 95 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 256-257.

La Petite Sainte Famillefratres Huaud pinxerunt, Geneva, circa 1700, movement by William Webster, London, No. 2354, circa 1740.Very fine 22 ct. gold and painted on enamel diamond-set watch with outer protective case.

C. Outer: two-body, gilt brass and sharkskin, glazed. Inner: two-body, 'bassine', entirely enamel painted, the back with the Virgin Mary, Jesus, Saint John and his mother Elizabeth, from an engraving by Corneles Galle II after Jean Le Blond. The enamel inside shows a couple walking along a riverbank with a town in the background. The band is painted with four rural scenes within elaborate vignettes joined by yellow ribbons. In a small yellow cartouche at the base is an example of the more unusuasignatures employed by Jean-Pierre and Amy Huaud. Diamond-set bezel and bow, pendant set with a good-sized diamond. D. White enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute ring and five-minute Arabic numerals. Diamond-set, early style 'Louis XV' hands. M. Made specially for the case, 35.8 mm o, hinged gilt brass full plate with square baluster pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain three-arm brass balance with flat spring, English cock, pierced and engraved with asymmetrical scrolling foliageshell at the base, diamond endstone.Signed on the case, movement signed and numbered.Diam. inner: 43 mm, outer: 50 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 114-115.

The Judgement of ParisJ. George Viollier, Geneva, circa 1700.Very fine silver pair-cased single-hand alarm watch with day of the month indication.

C. Outer: two-body, chased, the back with a scene inspired by the 17th century engraver Antoine Jacquard depicting the Judgement of Paris in a woodland setting, the bezels chased with foliage and masks. Inner: two-body, 'bassine', pierced and engraved with inhabited foliage, short pendant, loose ring. D. Silver, champlevé with Roman chapters, diamond-shaped half-hour divisions, concentric rotating silver alarm ring with Arabic numerals and blued-steel pointer indicating the hours, outer date rinwith a revolving gilt pointer mounted on a gilded ring between the hour chapter and date scale. Blued-steel alarm hand. M. 40.6 mm o, hinged gilt brass full plate with elaborate crested tulip pillars, two-train, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, single-footed gilded cock with streamers at the neck, pierced and engraved with asymmetrical foliage, alarm with fixed barrel pierced and engraved with foliage, four-wheel steel train, striking on bell.Signed on the back plate.Diam. 57 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 120-121.

Vertumnus and PomonaHuaut school enamel, circa 1700, movement by De Beaufre, London circa 1735.Very fine and rare 20 ct. gold and enamelled copper pair-cased watch.

C. Outer: two-body, glazed on both sides, the front bezel with scrolls alternating with a posy of flowers, the back bezel with cornucopia, urns and scrolls. Inner: two-body, 'bassine', the back with a very fine enamel painted on copper, showing Vertumnus and Pomona, from an engraving by Cornelis Vermeulen (1644-1708/9) after Antoine Coypel (1661-1722), the band painted with four cartouches showing countryside landscapes, the enamel inside the back painted with a fisherman beside a peaceful riverand a house amongst trees on the far bank, small pendant, gold bow (later). D. Gold, champlevé Roman chapters with half-hour divisions, outer minute ring with five-minute Arabic numerals in polished cartouches. Blued-steel 'poker and beetle' hands. M. 34.4 mm o, hinged gilt brass full plate with round baluster pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain four-arm brass balance, double-footed cock pierced and engraved with scrolling foliage, pierced and engraved silver bracket for fuseestop lever.Signed on the movement.Diam. 42.4 mm, 48 mm with outer case. Published in the Sandberg book, page 104-105.

Estienne Mainadie à Magdeburg, circa 1705.Very fine and rare pair-cased, silver 'wandering hour' watch.

C. Outer: two-body, shagreen-covered, studded with silver. Inner: two-body, 'bassine', polished, small pendant, loose ring. D. Silver, Roman champlevé, the 'wandering' chapters appearing in a circular window of a silver engraved segment set at the top, surmounted by the Arabic five minute chapter segment. The window above the Roman quarter-hour segment, showing the correct hour, revolves to point to the correct minutes. The bottom with an applied gold bust under faceted crystal, probably of Fredrick I, King of Prussia (1657-1713) surrounded by gilt military trophies. M. 39.5 mm o., hinged gilt brass full plate with tulip pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, single-footed winged cock, pierced and engraved with symmetrical foliage, pinion and rack regulator with silver plate with Arabic numerals.Signed on the dial and the movement, case stamped MG under a coronet.Diam. 55 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 116-117.

P.yuer A Florence, circa 1700.Very fine and rare brass, silver and enamel, pair-cased, single-hand alarm watch.

C. Outer: two-body, overlaid with chased and engraved silver, back with a painted on enamel portrait of the Emperor Joseph I (1674-1711) surrounded by an applied silver plaque decorated with two figures and the Habsburg crown above. Framing them, a silver-overlaid band with four vignettes representing battle scenes, the bezel decorated with foliage and flowers, square hinge. Inner: two-body, 'bassine', the band pierced and engraved with flowers and foliage, polished back, short, round pendant. DSilver, champlevé with Roman chapters, diamond half-hour marks, concentric silver revolving alarm disc with Arabic numerals, with blued-steel fleur de lis pointer indicating the time. Blued-steel alarm hand. M. 39.6 mm o, hinged gilt brass full plate with vase pillars, two-train, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, double-footed cock, pierced and engraved with asymmetrical foliage, regulator pointer protruding from beneath a semi-circular blued-steel guard below thbridge, wheel and click set-up. Pierced and engraved fixed barrel for the alarm driving four-wheel steel train, striking on a bell.Signed on the movement.Diam. 60 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 116-117.

Flora and ZephyrWilliamson, London, the enamel painting attributable to the workshop of Jean Mussard V, Geneva,circa 1730.Very fine and unusual gilt metal brass and copper painted on enamel 'oignon' watch, made for theDutch market.

C. Two-body, the back with a finely painted on copper enamel of Flora, the ancient Italian goddess of flowers, with her husband Zephyr, the west wind of Springtime. The scene is taken from an engraving by Benoît Audran (1661-1721) after a painting by Antoine Coypel (1661-1722). The enamel inside the case depicts a country residence with mountains in the background. The enamelled bezels with continuous landscapes. D. Gold, champlevé, Roman chapters with half-hour divisions, outer minute ring withArabic five-minute numerals, matted ground. Blued-steel 'beetle and poker' hands. M. 40.6 mm o, hinged gilt brass full plate with solid, unusually shaped pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, Dutch-type, double-footed cock pierced and decorated with geometrical design, covered by a crystal, ruby endstone, pierced and engraved silver mask applied over the back plate, two regulator discs of blued-steel inlaid with gold setting numerals, rack and pinion regulatoactivated by the right disc.Signed on the dial and on the movement.Diam. 60 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 136-137.

Duhard à Bourdeaux, circa 1710.Fine gilt metal, leather-covered Louis XIV single-hand 'oignon' alarm watch.

C. Double-body, bezel and back covered with leather, pierced with roundels. D. Gilded, champlevé with Roman chapters and quarter-hour divisions, concentric revolving alarm disc with Arabic numerals, engraved in the centre with foliage, blued-steel 'fleur de lis' pointer indicating time. Blued-steel alarm hand. M. 43.3 mm o, hinged gilt brass full plate with Egyptian pillars, two-train, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, short flat balance spring, rack and pinion rgulator, large Louis XIV cock pierced and engraved with inhabited foliage. Pierced and engraved alarm fixed barrel driving four-wheel steel train striking on a bell.Signed on the back plate.Diam. 57 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 106-107.

Jean Hubert A Toulouse, circa 1700.Fine gilt metal and silver Louis XIV single-hand 'oignon' watch wound through the centre.

C. Double-body, silver overlaid, back and bezel lightly engraved with flowers and foliage. D. Silver, with Roman chapters and quarter-hour divisions. Blued-steel hand. M. 43.3 mm o, hinged gilt brass full plate with turned baluster pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, short flat balance spring, fine gilt brass cock pierced and engraved with inhabited foliage, rack and pinion regulator.Signed on the back plate.Diam. 53 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 106-107.

Dupre A Paris, hallmark for 1692.Fine silver Louis XIV single-hand 'oignon' watch wound through the centre.

C. Double-body, polished. D. Enamelled, with Roman chapters and quarter-hour divisions. Blued-steel fleur de lis hand. M. 44.8 mm o, hinged gilt brass full plate with Egyptian pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, short flat balance spring, fine gilt brass Louis XIV cock pierced and engraved with inhabited foliage, rack and pinion regulator.Signed on the back plate, inside case stamped with French silver marks, bezel inside stamped MP.Diam. 57 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 106-107.

Ecole d'AmourAttributable to Jean Mussard V, movement signed Quaré, London, circa 1720.Very fine and rare gilt metal and enamelled copper single-hand 'oignon' watch wound through the centre, made for the Dutch market.

C. Two-body, 'bassine', the back in copper entirely painted in enamel, with a scene of the winged Cupid learning about love from his mother Venus, as the words in the open book she is holding suggest - 'Ecole d'amour pour se faire aimer' -, the band painted with four landscapes after Gabriel Perelle alternating with acanthus foliage, inside the back an en grisaille view of a castle. D. Silver gilt, champlevé with Roman chapters and quarter-hour divisions, centre with a mask and floral decorationBlued-steel single 'tulip' hand. M. 41.2 mm o, hinged gilt brass full plate, Egyptian pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, steel false pendulum balance with flat spring, Dutch-type single-foot cock engraved with scrolls and a shell at the base, with window for the false pendulum.Signed on dial and movement.Diam. 48 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 132-133.

The TemptationGille de Beefe a Liège, circa 1730.Very fine and unusual double-sided gilt metal and enamel Adam and Eve animated watch.

C. Two-body, glazed on both sides, polished bezels. On the back, framed by an engraved gilt band, there is a circular enamel plaque with a painted scene depicting Adam end Eve in the Garden of Eden, surrounded by animals, with the Tree of Knowledge in the centre. The silver snake revolves around the enamelled scene, pursuing and tempting Adam and Eve, making one revolution of the dial per hour. D. White enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute ring with five minute Arabic numerals. Aperture for theegulator at 6 o'clock. Gold 'beetle and poker' hands. M. 39.2 mm o, hinged gilt brass full plate with baluster pillars, square at the bottom and circular at the top, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain three-arm balance with flat balance spring, mounted under the dial plate, plain bar-type double-footed cock.The snake is mounted on a gear driven by the main train.Signed on the frame of the painting.Diam. 50 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 132-133.

Allegory of AutumnAndré pinxit, 1716, movement by Pieter Klock, Amsterdam, circa 1725.Fine and very rare gilt metal and enamelled copper watch with date.

C. Two-body, 'bassine', the back very finely painted with an Allegory of Autumn depicting Ariadne and Bacchus, from an engraving by Nicholas Dauphin de Beauvais (1687-1763) after Pierre-Jacques Cazes (1676-1754). The band painted with continuous lakeside scenes, the enamel inside the case with a lake, a folly, and a traveller, painted en camaieu de rose after an engraving by Gabriel Perelle (1603-1677). D. Silver, champlevé, with Roman chapters and half-hour indications, outer minute ring with fve-minute Arabic numerals. Blued-steel 'beetle and poker' hands. M. 41 mm o, hinged gilt brass full plate with elaborate pierced and engraved pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain brass three-arm counterpoise balance, two-footed cock pierced and engraved with inhabited foliage, rack and pinion regulator.Signed on the dial and the back plate.Diam. 48 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 128-129.

Alexander and SisygambisWilliam Grantham, London, No. 11054, casemaker John Wright, hallmarked 1768, made for the Dutch market.Very fine triple-cased 22 ct. gold repoussé watch.

C. Outer: two-body, gilt metal, glazed on the back, bezels in shagreen with gold butterfly studs. Middle: Two-body, repoussé in very high relief with a scene representing Alexander the Great with Sisygambis, the bezel decorated with rocailles and flowers. Inner: two-body, 'bassine', polished. D. White enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute ring arched every five minutes in the Dutch manner. Diamond-set 'fleur de lis' hands. M. 34.8 mm o, hinged gilt brass full plate with square baluster pillars, fsee and chain, verge escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, single-footed cock pierced and engraved with asymmetrical foliage with a mask at the base.Signed on the movement, inner case stamped with casemaker's mark and English gold marks.Diam. 57 mm (with the outer case). Published in the Sandberg book, page 142-143.