Important Watches Wristwatches, and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 02, 2000

LOT 405

Swiss, circa 1810.Extremely fine and rare 18K gold and enamel pearl-set musical mandoline with automaton scene of a tightrope dancer, in a later morocco fitted box by Desoutter.

C. Two-body, the ribbed back decorated with alternated panels of scarlet flinqué enamel and blue champlevé enamelled sector with vine branch decoration, scarlet flinqué enamelled sound board with leaf decoration, pearl-set on the border and to the sound hole, black and white enamelled key board and scarlet enamel head with pear-set pegs and wire strings, chain suspension. The back discloses the automaton scene depicting a tightrope dancer applied over a finely painted enamel lakeside landscape.. Oval gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, pin drum musical train with six tuned stacked teeth, driving the automaton by means of cams and levers.Dim. 66 x 26 mm.