Exceptional horologic works of art

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Oct 11, 2003

LOT 94

A Pair of Ostrich Eggs. James Cox, London, No. 306 and 1024, circa 1770, made for Chinese market. Magnificent, probably unique, pair of gilt metal, silver, diamond-, ruby-, sapphire-, and emerald- paste-set desk clocks above split and mounted eggs.

CHF 100,000 - 150,000

EUR 65,000 - 98,000

Sold: CHF 86,000

C. Egg-shell color porcelain formed as an egg over gilt brass, with removable lid, mounted in gilt brass with precious stone pastes, engraved below with a dragon, tree, camel and a palm, the lid engraved with a bird, an elk and trees, the egg mounted on a gilt brass neck set with diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald pastes which has a friction-fit slot for easy mounting in a matching V-shaped bracket held by a gilt brass boy standing on a frame supported by three gilt brass lions, the movement housed at the top in a chased gilt cylinder-type case with silver diamond-paste-set bezel supported on a gilt brass dragon and surmounted by a silver diamond and sapphire-paste-set finial. D. White enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute dot divisions, winding aperture at 7 o'clock. Blued steel hands. M. 23 mm, frosted gilt full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, steel balance with flat balance spring, single-footed cock.Signed on the movements.Dim. Height 27 cm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3 - 21
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 05

Notes

This pair, the only one of its kind known, extends our knowledge of the diversity of shapes, designs and materials used by James Cox. The form, based on a design of the German Renaissance, is also something previously unknown in his work. To utilize the egg's shape to create a compartment while lodging the clock in the lid's handle is an audacious idea.