THE CHERRY PICKERS

• the central lid enameled with scene of a young boy and girl picking cherries, flanked by panels painted with flowers in marble vases, the scenes form a pearl-set arcade • the left cover opening to reveal a rectangular enameled panel with time dial below an oval vignette of a boy mounted on an ox • the conforming movement with verge and fusee • the right lid revealing the four color gold and enamel automaton scene driven by pinned disc musical movement, comprising a woman playing a hurdy-gurdy, a seated conjurer waving his wand at a table set with a game of ball and cups, while a tumbler performs somersaults, the chased foreground scene with a hound, lute and music, the enamel background well painted with a maid watching from an open window • the base with “The Elopement,” an elegant couple stealing away towards a waiting carriage • the front with an enameled music trophy and the back with a bouquet, sides with translucent lozenge enamel work, each cover stamped crowned M. 

Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew P. McCullough
Prominent American Family until present

New York, A La Vieille Russie, Antique Automatons, 1950, cat. no. 59

Catalogue of the exhibition, Antique Automatons, A La Vieille Russie,  1950, cat. no. 59, pp. 25, 35; fig. 11

A lovely and rare box with unusual automaton and wonderfully painted central back and front panels. The box lid hinges retain their crispness and the box overall pleasing weight; a testament to quality, Movement of automaton and music, and that of the watch in good working order. The enamel dial has two very small areas of damage to then enamel around the winding arbor and at 7 o'clock. The vignette above the dial well painted and in good order, minor damage and restoration to surround. The unusual automaton scene is in good order. The lids of the exterior case well painted, particularly the central top panel. Minor losses to blue enamel at corners of each lid and stringing, discreet enamel restoration to black opaque enamel and to the side panel enamel. Blue enamel borders in back of case with discreet enamel restoration. The back panel hinges but does not currently open indicating the possibility of a compartment which revealed an erotic scene within, likely the scene would have been sealed during Victorian era, however does give one pause to wonder if the revealing scene is still there. The central panel stringing with discreet losses and restoration. To seal the compartment it seems that the bottom rim was taken out in order to remove the hinge pin, and as a result the top rim is now slightly bent. The box with a substantial weight, well made despite some to be expected areas of the enamel losses and restoration.
"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."

The crowned M Geneva maker’s mark on this piece has not so far been identified. Though not recorded frequently, it occasionally appears on fine quality gold and enamel snuff boxes and automata. The mark also appears on another three compartment automaton box, sold at Sotheby’s Geneva, 13 November 1986, lot 298, illustrated in Alfred Chapuis & Edouard Gélis, Le Monde des Automates. Paris, 1928, vol. II, pp. 53-54, and on a singing bird box with movement signed Jt Droz & Léschot à Genève, Sotheby’s Paris, 15 April 2010, lot 61, and another sold Sotheby's New York, 11, June 2015, lot 106. The same mark is also found on lot 85 of this sale.

The current box shares several similarities with the box sold in Geneva in 1986: overall design and decoration of the case, automaton scene, as well as a timepiece with one dial.

Another three compartment box was sold Sotheby's Geneva, May 2014, lot 334. The catalog note mentioned that the combination of music, automaton and timepiece places this type in the rarest class of boxes made in Geneva.  

Jean-Louis Richter (1766-1841) was known for his landscape subjects ranging from specific topographical views to more romantic imaginary views of Alpine peaks. His landscapes are often inhabited by miniaturized figures. The current box with its rosy cheeked children is yet another of Richter's characteristic scenes. For another automaton timepiece with the cherry pickers theme also attributed to Jean-Louis Richter, see Sotheby's New York, June 2015, lot 108.

Isaac-Daniel Piguet (1775-1841) was born in Le Chenit (Vaud) and is said to have moved to Geneva before 1800.  He entered into partnership with his brother-in-law Henri Capt, another mécanicien, on 10 February 1802. The firm was active for a short period 1802 to 1811.  Piguet & Capt however were the first to make objects to combine automata and music for use in luxury objects, such as snuff boxes, jewelry and watches.

Matthew McCullough and his wife Louise were collectors of automata in the beginning of the 20^th century.  Matthew met Louise Ross when he began to work for Ross Lumber Company in Chicago in 1904, and they married later that year.  McCullough had a successful career, including serving as president of both Ross Lumber Company, and several other firms.  Louise was the true collector of the two, starting in 1918, and discovering automata in 1922.  Over the next 30 years, the couple amassed an exemplary collection of automata, buying high quality and rare pieces, such as the present lot.  They kept their collection behind a secret panel in their study, but firmly believed these pieces were meant to be played with and enjoyed, and thus were happy to show them to visitors and family.  A La Vieille Russie included this piece, as well as the rest of the McCullough collection, in their Antique Automatons exhibition in New York City in 1950, and were mentioned in the forward along with the exhibition's main contributor, Dr. Maurice Sandoz.