A rare pearl-set four-coloured gold and enamel musical 'temple' automaton...
rectangular with rounded corners, the lid finely painted with The Fortune Teller, after Jean-Baptiste Le Prince (1734-1781), within a split-pearl frame, the sides decorated with translucent dark blue enamel panels over engine-turning, alternating with opaque pale blue taille d'épargne enamel dividers centred with translucent poppy-coloured enamel lozenges, within matching borders, opaque black taille d'épargne corners embellished with double scrolls, the hinged base similarly decorated around an octagonal plaque of semi-translucent blue enamel over an engine-turned medallion of a swag-hung Empire style vase with scrolling handles on sunburst ground, opening to reveal a chased classical gold temple en quatre couleurs, performing its magic in form of two changeable tunes and the automaton scene once the mechanism is activated: the six revolving architrave and the enamelled gold Corinthian columns change their colour from blue to red to green, the latter alternating with painted en grisaille classical figures in niches to each side of a gold door chased with flower heads and strapwork at the top of two-coloured gold stairs, opening to reveal an automated figure of a lyre-player in an alcove, the tympanon centred with a spinning wheel held by two angels, the outer Ionic rose gold columns with figurative finials, on an enamel ground painted with poplars against pale Geneva sunset skies and parts of another temple to the right, in an engine-turned gold frame, apparently unmarked, the movement unmarked and unsigned,
in a fitted presentation case, with associated key
8.5 cm, 3 3/8 in. wide
Condition Report:
A rare and marvellous object in very good condition, especially given age and fragility.
The painting on the lid in crisp condition;
four of the blue side panels professionally and most successfully restored in cold enamel, one panel below the hinge apparently re-inset; the base also in very good condition bar a few very light surface scratches, commensurate with time and age.
The mechanism fully cleaned and serviced; working well at the time of cataloguing with a clear sound, playing two tunes.
Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the functioning of movements.
Provenance:
Private family collection, Scotland
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Sale price
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Time, Location
Auction House
rectangular with rounded corners, the lid finely painted with The Fortune Teller, after Jean-Baptiste Le Prince (1734-1781), within a split-pearl frame, the sides decorated with translucent dark blue enamel panels over engine-turning, alternating with opaque pale blue taille d'épargne enamel dividers centred with translucent poppy-coloured enamel lozenges, within matching borders, opaque black taille d'épargne corners embellished with double scrolls, the hinged base similarly decorated around an octagonal plaque of semi-translucent blue enamel over an engine-turned medallion of a swag-hung Empire style vase with scrolling handles on sunburst ground, opening to reveal a chased classical gold temple en quatre couleurs, performing its magic in form of two changeable tunes and the automaton scene once the mechanism is activated: the six revolving architrave and the enamelled gold Corinthian columns change their colour from blue to red to green, the latter alternating with painted en grisaille classical figures in niches to each side of a gold door chased with flower heads and strapwork at the top of two-coloured gold stairs, opening to reveal an automated figure of a lyre-player in an alcove, the tympanon centred with a spinning wheel held by two angels, the outer Ionic rose gold columns with figurative finials, on an enamel ground painted with poplars against pale Geneva sunset skies and parts of another temple to the right, in an engine-turned gold frame, apparently unmarked, the movement unmarked and unsigned,
in a fitted presentation case, with associated key
8.5 cm, 3 3/8 in. wide
Condition Report:
A rare and marvellous object in very good condition, especially given age and fragility.
The painting on the lid in crisp condition;
four of the blue side panels professionally and most successfully restored in cold enamel, one panel below the hinge apparently re-inset; the base also in very good condition bar a few very light surface scratches, commensurate with time and age.
The mechanism fully cleaned and serviced; working well at the time of cataloguing with a clear sound, playing two tunes.
Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the functioning of movements.
Provenance:
Private family collection, Scotland
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
