A VARICOLOURED GOLD AND ENAMEL AUTOMATON, GENEVA, EARLY 19TH CENTURY, THE SILVER-GILT CASE WEIR & SONS, DUBLIN, 1874
A VARICOLOURED GOLD AND ENAMEL AUTOMATON, GENEVA, EARLY 19TH CENTURY, THE SILVER-GILT CASE WEIR & SONS, DUBLIN, 1874
the forest scene with chased gold figures performing twelve different actions: to the left are two woodcutters, one cutting a trembling tree branch, another chopping wood, a rider spurs on his donkey which lowers its head to drink from a slowly-moving stream where ducks bob near a waterfall which turns the wheel of a watermill, while a shepherdess milks a goat, its companion nibbling leaves from a tree, accompanied by three different tunes played on five bells, apparently unmarked, signed 'Billiet' on the reverse of the automated scene, contained within a later glass-topped cut-cornered rectangular silver-gilt box, Weir & Sons, Dublin, 1874, fully hallmarked
8.9cm., 3½in. wide
(2)
Condition Report:
A charming automated scene in very smart overall appearance.
The glass rod to the right missing parts, the one at the bottom with cracks (only visible when taken apart);
the fusee movement in very good condition and of high quality, all brass components gilt; one of the five bells a replacement and one restored; the tune change is temperamental, possibly resulting from being fitted into the later Silver case at an incorrect angle from the slide; scratched repairer's mark and date 1976; the formerly silver-gilt case with losses to gilding; movements working at the time of cataloguing, but Sotheby's does not guarantee the functioning of movements.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's. We do not guarantee, and are not responsible for any certificate from a gemological laboratory that may accompany the property. We do not guarantee that watches are in working order. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue, in particular to the Notice regarding the treatment and condition of gemstones.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Provenance:
The Sir David Salomons Collection, cat. no. 188
Vera Bryce Salomons
L.A. Mayer Memorial Institute, Jerusalem, inventory no. BO 10-70
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A VARICOLOURED GOLD AND ENAMEL AUTOMATON, GENEVA, EARLY 19TH CENTURY, THE SILVER-GILT CASE WEIR & SONS, DUBLIN, 1874
the forest scene with chased gold figures performing twelve different actions: to the left are two woodcutters, one cutting a trembling tree branch, another chopping wood, a rider spurs on his donkey which lowers its head to drink from a slowly-moving stream where ducks bob near a waterfall which turns the wheel of a watermill, while a shepherdess milks a goat, its companion nibbling leaves from a tree, accompanied by three different tunes played on five bells, apparently unmarked, signed 'Billiet' on the reverse of the automated scene, contained within a later glass-topped cut-cornered rectangular silver-gilt box, Weir & Sons, Dublin, 1874, fully hallmarked
8.9cm., 3½in. wide
(2)
Condition Report:
A charming automated scene in very smart overall appearance.
The glass rod to the right missing parts, the one at the bottom with cracks (only visible when taken apart);
the fusee movement in very good condition and of high quality, all brass components gilt; one of the five bells a replacement and one restored; the tune change is temperamental, possibly resulting from being fitted into the later Silver case at an incorrect angle from the slide; scratched repairer's mark and date 1976; the formerly silver-gilt case with losses to gilding; movements working at the time of cataloguing, but Sotheby's does not guarantee the functioning of movements.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's. We do not guarantee, and are not responsible for any certificate from a gemological laboratory that may accompany the property. We do not guarantee that watches are in working order. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue, in particular to the Notice regarding the treatment and condition of gemstones.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Provenance:
The Sir David Salomons Collection, cat. no. 188
Vera Bryce Salomons
L.A. Mayer Memorial Institute, Jerusalem, inventory no. BO 10-70
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
