Important Collectors' Watches, Pocket...

Geneva, Mar 16, 2008

LOT 551

Boîte à Surprise Movement by Nicolas-Constant Lemaire (Paris), the box by Augustin-André Héguin, No. 79, hallmarked Paris, 1784-85. Extremely important and equally rare, varicolored gold snuff-box with concealed high-relief erotic automata.

CHF 200,000 - 225,000

USD 180,000 - 225,000 / EUR 125,000 - 155,000

Sold: CHF 238,000

C. Three-body, oval, hinged front lid over a polished compartment, centered by a medallion in applied gold depicting a traveler about to board a sailboat, classical ruins in the background within engine-turned and applied gold floral frame, en suite side panels, the base with hinged lid decorated en suite with applied gold castle tower reigning over a village with a boat under a bridge in the foreground, a secret catch (opened with a thin prong fixed to the winding key) revealing concealed erotic automata. Automata. Mounted on a heavy gold plate, two animated couples enjoying an amorous moment in the countryside, the background richly decorated with applied gold flowers, grapes, musical trophies, and a summerhouse portal with amorous doves over a vase of love. The scene after Antoine Borel (1743-1810). M. Rounded rectangular, brass, full plate, 68 x 51 mm, two tier, the first level for the automaton, the second for the driving train, consisting of fixed barrel and five-wheel train terminated with a fly governor, fastened to the box with 4 screws into 4 brackets, cylindrical pinned pillars, automata driven from the second wheel via two spring-loaded levers. Box punched with maker's mark of Augustin-André Héguin, charge and discharge marks of Henri Clavel and Paris letter for 1784-85, the movement scratch-signed N-C. Le Maire in a manner typical of makers of watches with automata. Dim. 72 x 55 mm., height 35 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Notes

Previously sold by Sotheby's, Geneva, May 14, 1987, lot 144. This is the only known snuffbox with French-made automata. Based on the research presented below, we now believe that there are some other French-made automaton snuffboxes. However, this is the only one known to date to have survived. Its rarity was reflected in the 1987 price of over 400,000 SF, paid for it at Sotheby's. 18th century automated snuffboxes are rare in general, the best-known are: 1. Seascape, attributed to Geneva, c. 1780, Sandoz Collection 2. Tightrope Dancer, Geneva, c. 1785, in the Gilbert Collection. 3. Blacksmith's Workshop, Geneva, c. 1790, Berry-Hill Collection 4. Knife Grinder, Geneva, c. 1780, Landesmuseum, Seewen. 5. Dancer, Swiss, c. 1800, sold Sotheby's London, Nov. 9, 2000, for £641.500. 6. The present box.