The Sandberg Watch Collection

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Mar 31, 2001

LOT 402

La Madonna della SediaPiguet & Meylan, Genève, Nos. 5854 and 6524, circa 1820.Magnificent and extremely rare asymmetrical pair of 18 ct. gold and enamel pearl-and ruby-set, two-train, music and automaton hour-striking and repeating, centre seconds watches with original matching key, made for the Chinese market.

C. Two-body, 'bassine', the backs with a finely painted enamel scene depicting 'La Madonna della Sedia', after the 1514 painting by Raphael. The bezels with inlaid graduated pearls forming horseshoes when the watch is closed, on a ground of turquoise and enamel set with small ruby accents, the bow and pendant en suite. D. White enamel radial Roman chapters and outer minute and half-second divisions, set at the top of the automaton background painted with Alpine scene with a lake and a chalet inwoodland setting. The automaton in applied chased and engraved multi-coloured gold, represents two musicians, a lady playing the harp and a boy playing the mandolin, moving their arms in time with the music. M. 35.7 mmo, gilt brass bridge calibre, fixed barrel, cylinder escapement, gold three-arm balance, blued-steel flat balance spring. The musical movement with a revolving disc with pins on both sides, playing on 18 tuned teeth arranged in a fan shape, the automaton animated by a ratchet-wheecam of irregular teeth mounted on the musical disc, a slide for the music and automaton on demand at 5 o'clock.Stamped PM on the plate under the dial.Dim. 44 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, pages 316-317.