The Sandberg Watch Collection

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Mar 31, 2001

LOT 201

Basket of FlowersGeneva, maker's mark a coronet above M incuse, possibly Jaques Moulinié, circa 1820.Very fine and rare, gold and enamel, pearl-set, automaton snuff box with a concealed watch.

C. Four-body with three compartments: the central compartment for the snuff, having a lid decorated with a finely painted basket of flowers within a half pearl border. The side compartments with spring-loaded covers, the left one for the automata and the right one for the watch, both covered with predominantly royal blue translucent enamel over 'sunburst' engine-turning with borders in white enamel and half pearls, the sides en suite. The bottom painted with a butterfly with open wings in translcent red enamel against royal blue translucent enamel, the same as on the sides, over engine-turning. Under the left lid is an automaton pastoral scene with a shepherdess raising and lowering her hand, feeding a lamb which moves its head up and down; in the front a grazing sheep nods its head and a dog with animated head drinks from a stream running from the mill, with turning waterwheel and a small waterfall simulated by a twisted glass rod. All figures in multicoloured gold and silver, set onolychrome enamel painted scene over gold. Under the right lid is the watch. D. White enamel, radial Roman chapters, outer minute divisions, separate white enamel dial for the seconds, both in a gold frame, a blue enamel sector for the regulator is situated between the dials. Blued-steel 'spade' hands. M. 30 x 19 mm, full brass plate, semi-circular, going barrel, cylinder escapement, steel escape wheel, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring. The automaton movement: 30 x 19 mm, semi-crcular, full brass plate, fixed barrel, seven wheel train with the last pinion on eccentric adjustable bushing to regulate the speed of the automated movements.Case stamped M under a 3-prong crown.Dim. 81 x 44 x 14 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, pages 418-419.