Important Watches, Collectors’ Wristw...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Nov 14, 2004

LOT 459

James Cox, London, circa 1775. Exceptionally rare and very fine true pair of emerald glass and silver, ruby-paste-set flasks, each fitted with a watch, compass and mirror.

CHF 25,000 - 35,000

EUR 15,000 - 25,000 / USD 20,000 - 30,000

C. Emerald green faceted glass flask with oval silver base with a mirror underneath, the top with silver facetted neck terminated with silver stoppers decorated with twisted-rope edges, aperture in the center with silver frame chased with scrolling, flowers and beads, hinged silver bezel set with ruby color pastes, the back with compass in en suit silver frame. D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, windingaperture at VII. Blued steel ?beetle and poker? hands. M. 21.3 mm, hinged, frosted gilt full-plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, brass balance with flat balance spring, single-footed smallengraved cock. Compass. With white enamel dial with sixteen pointed compass rose and eight cardinal points, blued steel compass needle. Signed on the movement.Dim. Height 127 mm, width 53 mm


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3 - 21
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 24 - 01

Notes

There are only about a dozen flasks by Cox known. Among these, only three true pairs are known. One is in the Emperor's Palace Collection, Peking George the other was in Lord Sandberg Collection see Antiquorum, March 31, 2001, lot 22; and the present lot is the third pair. Except for the overlay and the stoppers, the present pair of flasks is very similar to the one in the Lord Sandberg Collection, featuring the same rich emerald green faceted flasks, the same movement, wound at VII, the same compass, and the same mirror in the base.