THE THEATER VISIT Attributed to James Cox, London, made in the late 18th century. Magnificent and extremely rare 20K gold, ivory, turquoise, enamel fan with a watch made for the Royal family. Accompanied by a fitted box and winding key. FAN: Two-sided, 2 outer guard sticks with 20 sticks in ivory engraved with elaborate floral motif filigree, concealed compartment in the guard stick portion for housing the winding key. The main leaf painted with a scene of royals visiting a lush garden and a theater. The reverse painted with landscape depicting a courtesan with her servant beside her. The fan pivot: The front contains the watch and the back with an enamel painted scene of a landscape with a fisherman in the foreground. | Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, Nov 27, 2016

LOT 298

THE THEATER VISIT Attributed to James Cox, London, made in the late 18th century. Magnificent and extremely rare 20K gold, ivory, turquoise, enamel fan with a watch made for the Royal family. Accompanied by a fitted box and winding key. FAN: Two-sided, 2 outer guard sticks with 20 sticks in ivory engraved with elaborate floral motif filigree, concealed compartment in the guard stick portion for housing the winding key. The main leaf painted with a scene of royals visiting a lush garden and a theater. The reverse painted with landscape depicting a courtesan with her servant beside her. The fan pivot: The front contains the watch and the back with an enamel painted scene of a landscape with a fisherman in the foreground.

HKD 2,000,000 - 4,000,000

USD 258,000 - 515,500 / CHF 252,000 - 503,000

White enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute ring. Blued-steel "heart and poker" hands. 14 mm., gilt brass full plate, cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, single-footed balance cock, pierced and engraved with asymmetrical foliage. CASE

LOADING IMAGES

Image

Notes

DIM. HEIGHT 27 cm. WIDTH 34 cm. [CLOSED] LENGTH 27 cm. THE WATCH: DIAM. 25 mm. THICKNESS 25 mm. [including crystal] We are indebted to ROGER SMITH for information contained in his article James Cox (c.1723- 1800): a revised biography, Burlington Magazine, June 2000. Also see CLARE LE CORBEILLER, James Cox: A biographical Review, Burlington Magazine, June 1970, v. 112 (May-Aug. 1970), p. 351-358. JAMES COX (circa 1723 - 1800) was born in England as a son of Henry Cox, a tailor. In June 1745, he started his business in Racquet Court, London, where he remained until 1756. In 1756, Cox entered into a partnership with EDWARD GRACE, moving to a larger premise on Shoe Lane. However, Cox and Grace declared bankruptcy in November 1758. Then in 1760's and early 1770's, Cox gained fame for creating luxurious musical and automaton clocks and watches in precious metals and stones, particularly favored by the Chinese Imperial Court. Cox died in Watford and was buried in London's Bunhill Fields on February 26, 1800. First Time at Auction