Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 31, 1998

LOT 284

Courtin a Cambray (France), circa 1780. Very fine and rare eight day going, hour and half hour striking musical clock with automaton, calendar and sunrise and sunset time.

C. Rectangular white marble musical base, the front and rounded side panels applied with a fine gilt bronze foliage decoration, the face centred with the figure of Cupid on a Wedgwood plaque. The movement above the base is fitted within black marble temple with six white marble columns and surmounted by a gilt bronze balcony where the blackamoor automaton Jack walks from one crystal bell to the other. D. White enamel with Breguet numerals and outer Arabic minute and calendar rings. Gilt brass pierced and engraved Louis XVI hands. Outer sunrise and sunset indication marked on the white enamel 24 hour Roman chapter ring. Rectangular dial plate applied with two foliate sprandels and below the dial by a cameo Cupid painted on glass and flanked by gilt bronze branches of flowers and foliage. M. Brass posted frame with going barrels both for the going and the striking trains, anchor escapement, the small pendulum with silk suspension. The striking train driving the blackamoor automaton Jack on the gallery, from one crystal bell to the other. Musical movement punched "S.F.", with fusee and gut line, fly regulator and brass pin cylinder, music on 9 bells via 12 hammers. Signed on the dial. Dim. 45 x 36 x 18 cm. excluding the black wooden stand.