Important collector's watches, wristw...

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Apr 13, 2002

LOT 44

M&P, Geneva, circa 1785. Very fine and extremely rare small 20K varicolored gold oval snuff box with carillon playing four automatically changing tunes on bells.

CHF 100,000 - 120,000

EUR 70,000 - 80,000 / USD 60,000 - 70,000

Sold: CHF 168,500

C. Three-body, oval, the lid revealing a compartment, centered by applied varicolored gold symbols of love with a mandolin, a quiver with love arrows and a dove among applied flowers, oval polished frame, applied laurel-leaf garlands, matte border with applied acanthus leaves, the sides similarly decorated with four oval medallions, each with applied multicolored gold symbols of love, marriage and prosperity, applied laurel-leaf garlands above and below, geometrically engraved lower border, the hinged base revealing the musical movement centered with a medallion of applied gold decorated similarly to the one on the lid, with applied green gold laurel-leaf garlands. M. Skeletonized, gilt brass, fusee and chain, five-wheel train, fly governor, pinned barrel, nest of five bells with five hammers, each with its adjustable banking lever, activation by a push-button at the back of the box. Stamped with the maker?s mark inside front lid. Dim. 68 x 51 mm, height 34 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Notes

The movement shows unmistakable characteristics of Genevan workmanship. In fact, it can be attributed to the Jaquet- Droz workshop. A very similar musical box of the same shape and size but decorated with enamel, made by the same unidentified maker, is in the Louvre Collection, inv. OA 2115, and another is in the Gilbert Collection.