Importantes Montres de Collection

Geneva, May 15, 2011

LOT 543

Nicolaus Schmidt Skull and Crossbones Automaton Table Watch Nicolaus Schmidt der Junger (Augsburg). Made circa 1620. Extremely fine and almost certainly unique, ?memento mori?, gilt bronze, automaton, pre balance-spring, single-hand table watch designed as a skull which opens and closes its jaws automatically while automaton snakes move in and out of the eye sockets.

CHF 80,000 - 100,000

USD 88,000 - 110,000 / EUR 60,000 - 75,000

Sold: CHF 74,500

C. Designed as a skull set on two crossed shinbones and mounted on a gilt brass tripod, the hinged skull cap (restored) opening to reveal the dial. Later hexagonal ebony molded base. D. Silver polychrome champlevé enameled dial with floral decoration, radial Roman numerals. Blued steel tulip hand. M. Hinged oval gilt brass full plate with baluster pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain steel two-arm balance without spring, gilt brass pierced and engraved irregular cock secured by a screw, with matching click for the ratchet wheel set-up. The movements of the automaton jaw and the snakes in the eyes are controlled by two six-spoke cams driven by the fusee and revolving twenty times an hour, so that the jaws take three minutes to open and then close suddenly while the snakes alternately pop out of, then return back into, each eye socket, twice a minute. Movement signed. Height 14 cm, including the base.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 4*

Fair

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

The movements of these automata are far slower than usual, being driven by the fusee of the going train. They are highly impressive because they deeply alter the expression on the skull?s ?face?. During the first minute, the skull seems to smile; during the second minute it seems to laugh; it then appears to yawn; and finally, the jaws snap shut, as if the skull were trying to bite something. At the same time, one of the snakes slowly sinks back down into one of the eye sockets, while the other slowly comes out of the other eye, before retracting suddenly, as the first snake again springs out from its eye-socket. The skull and crossbones is a "memento mori", a reminder of man's mortality, a tradition in art that dates back to antiquity. The symbolism is particularly apt for a watch, which reminds one of each passing hour.
Provenance: Previously in the collection of Charles Georgi, one of the commissioners in charge of the Musée Rétrospectif de la classe 96 (horlogerie) at the 1900 Paris Universal Exhibition, this watch was exhibited there in a showcase dedicated to this famous collection. According to Mathieu Planchon, the author of the catalogue, in addition to his collection of early watches and table clocks, Charles Georgi owned one of the best ?Cabinets de Curiosité? of the day, upon which the organizers drew heavily, to fill most of the gaps in the various classes of the Musée Rétrospectif. Mr. Georgi's collection was, in fact, the main source of material for the Musée Rétrospectif exhibition.