A gold and enamel snuff box with watch and musical movements, Henry Neisser, Geneva, 1815-1830,

rectangular, the lid unusually decorated with engine-turned portico, within chased pilasters and urns enamelled in blue, the sides and base engine-turned within similar ornament, opening in two sections, the left revealing a watch with gold and enamel dial in the form of a tree on a painted enamel ground, the annular Arabic enamel dial with blued spade hands beneath subsidiary seconds ring, the going barrel movement with cylinder escapement, central snuff compartment with concealed musical movement to right, with slide lever, maker's mark, further struck: 18K, French departmental cock's head control 1809-1814, associated gold and enamel key

Anonymous vendor, Christie's, 27 November 1991, lot 44

Sotheby's does not guarantee the functioning of the moevements. Exterior in very good condition with minor enamel losses at corners. Damage and restoration to base of enamel panel below watch movements. The box is sold with its original red leather case.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. 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.
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."

The dossier submitted by Henry Christian Neisser (1758-1840) when applying to become a bourgeois of Geneva in 1814 gives a brief account of his life up to that date (Archives d'Etat, Geneva: Bourgeisie C). He was born in Hanau, the son of Philippe-Theodore, and trained there before arriving in 1783 in Geneva where he worked as a compagnon bijoutier for Isaac Forget for 16 years. In 1798 he married Louise Debary and went into business with Messrs Sené & Détalla. According to Neisser they were obliged to separate following financial reverses caused by other Geneva firms going bankrupt and so he started to work on his own, 'qui a un peu prospéré'. Independent evidence shows that the partnership of Sené & Détalla became Sené & Neisser in October 1805 registering a joint mark in 1807 and closed in 1808. Neisser then registered a first mark on his own in 1808 and the current mark, from Maison Oltramare, no. 222 en l'Isle, on 21 October 1815. The mark was deleted, presumably on Neisser's retirement, in July 1830.