Exceptional horologic works of art

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Oct 11, 2003

LOT 100

The Mouse. Attributable to the workshop of Piguet et Capt, Geneva, circa 1805, probably retailed by Maillardet. Extremely fine and rare 18K gold and enamel, pearl- and black onyx-set automaton mouse.

CHF 130,000 - 160,000

EUR 85,000 - 104,000

Sold: CHF 130,000

C. In the form of a mouse with black onyx eyes, orange enamel mouth and nose, the body entirely inlaid with split pearls, the fur very skillfully simulated with blue and black champlevé enamel, chased gold feet, gold ears and gold wire mesh tail. M. Brass, shaped, with fixed barrel, the 5-wheel train terminating with a pinion pivoted in eccentric adjustable bushing for regulating the mouse's speed. The mainspring barrel is milled with four cams; one moves two levers up and down giving a very realistic motion to the animal's feet, the mouse moves via two small knurled steel wheels mounted on a pinion driven by the second wheel, two other cams, at one point,lift two levers protruding from the stomach which lifts the mouse and stops her, the last cam controls thehead movement.Dim. Length 55 mm (115 mm with the tail), 18 mm thick at mid-body.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: -

Notes

There are only seven mice like this one known: 1. Sandoz collection (previuosly Bernard Frank Collection, Paris. 2. Sir Lionel David Salomons Collection. 3. Patek Philippe Museum (sold by Antiquorum on April 25, 1999, lot 599. 4. Lot 99 (previously Iklé collection). 5. Lot 100. Similar to the one in the Salomons collection. 6. Patek Philippe Museum (previously Dr. Anton Dreesmann Collection). 7. Asprey Collection. This creature, when activated by the pin at the tail, moves forward so realistically that any cat would want to chase it. Suddenly it stops as if it had found something savory, and begins "eating": moving its head up and down like a real mouse eating a piece of cheese. After the meal, it continues its journey, scuttling along contentedly.We thank Kenneth Goldman for his help in compiling information on collections of these mechanical objets de vertu.