Important Watches Wristwatches, and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 02, 2000

LOT 383

Hughes, London, No. 2098, circa 1770.Fine and rare 18K gold, agate set oval musical box with built-in watch and automaton scene.

C. Three-body, oval, engraved with branches of foliage and further decoration, the band with four musical trophies. The hinged cover set with six plaques of dendritic agate, also fitted with the watch with hinged rose-cut diamond-set bezel. D. White enamel with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring. Gold arrow hands. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with conical pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, flat balance spring. Gilt brass pierced and engraved Eglish style cock. Automaton scene: Under-glass painted automaton scene concealed in the base, depicting a courting couple in a lounge, accompanied by a chaperon in the foreground, an automaton maiden, on the back, swinging on a seesaw in front of a mantelpiece. Musical movement. Gilt brass with pinned drum and five hammers playing two different tunes on five bells and driving the automaton by means of a cam and a crank.Dim. 75 x 55 x 45 mm.