Attributed to Piguet & Capt

• gilt automaton work of shield form with seven motions comprising: the shepherdess raises and lowers her arm, the two sheep and the dog raise and lower their heads, a water-wheel revolves fed by flowing water represented by rotating glass rods • gold cuvette engraved with a putto playing at a fountain • the automaton scene chased in three color gold with a finely painted polychrome enamel background depicting a Swiss lake scene with a mill, split pearl-set bezels • the reverse fitted with an oval medallion finely painted with a polychrome enamel scene of two rosy-cheeked children, one playing a horn, while the second figure looks on, both vibrantly enameled in tones of red, yellow and magenta • the lower portion of the band fitted with automaton start/stop lever, the band decorated with enamel in tones of red and blue, with key and later presentation box.

King Farouk  of Egypt (1936-1952)

Sotheby & Co., The Palace Collections of Egypt, Koubbeh Palace, Cairo March 10^th- 17^th, 1954, lot 523

European Family

Sotheby & Co., The Palace Collections of Egypt, Koubbeh Palace, Cairo March 10^th- 17^th, 1954, lot 523, p. 91, plate 24 top right

 

 

Mechanism running while cataloguing, all functions appear fully operational while cataloguing, one ruby stone on the regulator has been put back in its original condition without modifying the genuity of this piece. The enamel panel on the front behind the automaton scene has been restored to the left part, the tree near the wheel from the windmill was most certainly restored after the King Farouk sale, one can notice that the original black and white picture shows a chip to this side of the enamel panel. The back enamel panel is in a very well preserved with some very minor scuffs to the surface. In the case back, one can notice the inscpitions as followed 'ivanp sonzogw bg-7-2008'. The present exceptional example is overall in a very good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. 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 any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.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."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Isaac Daniel Piguet (1775 – 1841) and Henri Capt (1773 – 1837?) were partners from 1802 to 1811 in the firm bearing their name, Piguet & Capt.  The duo are considered amongst the most important makers of small automata at the end of the 18^th and beginning of the 19^th centuries.  Of the examples attributed to them, quite possibly the present one is amongst the most impressive, considering its relatively small size combined with the technical feat of including automata of such complexity. Examples of their craftsmanship are exhibited in the world's foremost collections such as the Patek Philippe Museum, Geneva.

The enamel is possibly by Jean-Abraham Lissignol (1749-1819), known as Pére Lissignol to distinguish him from his son Abraham also an enameller in Geneva, was trained by Jean-Marc Roux. As well as painting portrait miniatures, he supplied workshops with plaques for snuff boxes and watch cases. He appears to have specialised in allegorical subjects particularly those including plump cherubs. A box in the Patek Philippe Museum shows such a scene identified as the allegory of The Arts and Nature. In 1806, Père Lissignol wrote eloquently to the Paris authorities (Geneva then being occupied by France) suggesting that the Imperial Court should buy enamelled trinkets to encourage the failing trade in Geneva, just as they had bought Lyons silk to help that market recover (Geneva Archives).

[F.L.] Hess is recorded as an enameller in Geneva circa 1828 with his establishment at Allemands-Dessous 42.  Among his works recorded in private collections, the Patek Philippe Museum has a watch made for the Chinese market signed on the enamel 'Hess', (Inv. S-769). Its painted scene 'Maternal Love' is probably inspired by a painting  by Elizabeth Vigee Le Brun (1755-1842), duplicated on other watches from the same period, such as the 'Amphora' attributed to Piguet & Capt, from the Sandberg Watch Collection, now exhibited in the Patek Philippe Museum (Inv. S-454).

King Farouk, the last King of Egypt, known for his extravagance and lavish lifestyle, was overthrown on July 3, 1952. He was forced to abdicate, and fled Egypt three days later into exile first to Monaco and then Italy until his death in 1962. Farouk left behind an extensive and Important collection of works of art which the new Egyptian Government seized. Subsequently the government engaged Sotheby's to organise the sale of his collections.

The 1954 "Palace Collections of Egypt" would be a landmark sale and at the time considered the auction of the century. Farouk's collection spanned a wide range of collecting categories, primarily Objects of Vertu, Watches, Automata, Jewellery, Silver, Stamps, Coins, Paperweights and Galle Glass. The Auction lasted over a month between February and March of 1954. In the brochure advertising the sale, it was written "The master craftsmen of all countries and periods are represented in the fabulous collection of small works of art in precious materials." Of the automata it was written, "Switzerland is the home of a whole series of exquisite musical automata."

The present lot was one of two automaton shields offered in the sale. The first, lot 521, was smaller with a see-saw automaton and no figural enamel scene on the back.