Lot 32
  • 32

William Garrett, London

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
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Description

  • A SPLENDID GREEN GLASS AND GOLD MOUNTED SCENT BOTTLE WITH WATCH AND COMPASS FOR THE CHINESE MARKETCIRCA 1765, NO. 219
  • glass, yellow gold, diamond, garnet
  • height 132 mm, width 53 mm
Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, decoratively pierced balanced cock engraved with a bird in flight and floral scrolls, fusee and chain, turned pillars • movement signed Wm  Garrett, London 219
Dial: white enamel time dial, Roman numerals, blued steel beetle and poker hands, winding aperture between 6 and 7 o’clock, the reverse with white enamel compass dial, both dials with garnet-set bezels
Case: emerald green faceted glass overlaid with embossed rococo gold cage-work of scrolls, floral swags, foliage, a bird resting on a vase of fruit above the time dial, an offering in front of a classical pillar above the compass, the bottle’s top with a row of diamonds below a garnet-set stopper surmounted by a watch key, base of the bottle set with diamonds, opening to form a patch box and mirror 

Provenance

Antiquorum Geneva, The Sandberg Watch Collection, 31st March-1st April 2001, lot 22

Literature

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 223, pl. 133

Condition

Movement running at time of cataloguing. Time dial with significant chip (partially repaired) between the centre and the winding aperture, compass dial with hairline crack. Scent bottle appears to be in good condition from the areas visible between the gold work. The gold work in attractive condition with clear definition, some areas of discolouration. It was not possible to remove the stopper at time of cataloguing so the key to its top could not be checked for fit against the winding aperture.
"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."

Catalogue Note

This sumptuous gold and green glass scent bottle is similar to an example by James Cox which is shown in Edmund Launert’s book, Scent & Scent bottles, pp. 78-79, fig. 79, 1974. The Cox bottle illustrated by Launert is decorated with similar gold cage
work to the present example but over blue rather than green glass.  Scent bottles set with both a watch and compass are particularly rare. It is likely that the current bottle was one of a pair made for the Chinese market. Such exotic objects were made to satisfy the increasing demand from China for such fashionable and exotic timepieces. Only two complete pairs of similar scent bottles are known today, one in the Imperial Palace Museum in Beijing, see Timepieces in the Imperial Palace, fig. 142. The second pair by James Cox was sold at Christies Hong Kong, 30 May, 2011, lot 2164.  William Garrett is listed in Baillie as working before 1770 and until 1815.