Important Collectors’ Wristwatches Po...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 22, 1995

LOT 500

Made by John Rich for the Chinese market, the enamel scene in the manner of Adam, circa 1805. "Le Temple du Magicien". Magnificent and highly important 18 ct. gold and enamel pearl and diamond-set, musical automaton snuff-box.

CHF 0 - 0

Sold: CHF 556,250

C. Rectangular with cut-out corners and splitpearl set border, the sicle and base of blue translucent enamel over a trellis pattern ground, within white and black formai enamel borders, the corners in pierced and chased gold representations of the four seasons on the base. The cover panel with a finely painted enamel scene of Cleopatra dissolving the pearl. The lid disclose a varicoloured gold and rose-diamond set colonnade flanked by fountains with spinning glass rods, gold caryatid figures between the columns, the arched central doors opening to reveal the magician figure who taps his wand, causing the enamelled columns and roof ridge to change colour from red to blue and yellow with the star on the roof also revolving, the background enamelled with a Forest scelle. M. Gilt brass skeletonised, fusee with chain and fly regulator, pin-drum with two sets of four hammers, playing on four bells. Signed on the pin-drum cover. In very good condition. Dim. 85 x 55 x 30 mm.


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Notes

This box was forming a pair with that of the Sandoz collection, illustrated by Alfred Chapuis and Edmond Droz in Les Automates, figures artificielles d'hommes et d'animaux., p. 256, colour plate XII, illustrated above. John Rich, London. Very fine maker of musical boxes, has been working in Geneva. Some of his works are to be found in the best collections and illustrated in the books written by A. Chapuis on automatons and musical boxes. Although it is not signed, the enamel scene is painted in the manner of Adam Henri Albert Adam, bora in Geneva in 1766, died in Saint-Petersburg in 1820. He first worked in Geneva as porcelain and enamel painter and was member of the Assemblée Nationale. Left for Russia in 1807 where he worked for the Imperial Manufacture of Porcelain. He worked for the workshop of Droz & Leschot and other eminent markers. He became the specialist of watch case and snuff box enamel paintings.