Lot 85
  • 85

THE MOTHER AND CHILD

Estimate
200,000 - 300,000 USD
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Description

  • A RARE AND UNUSUAL THREE COMPARTMENT GOLD ENAMEL AND PEARL AUTOMATON SNUFF BOX WITH TIMEPIECE MADE FOR THE CHINESE MARKET AUTOMATON ATTRIBUTED TO PIGUET & CAPT GENEVA CIRCA 1810
  • gold & enamel
  • length 80 mm
• of oval lobed form, the central lid finely painted with a colorful enamel scene showing a classically dressed mother and child reading a letter, the scene framed by pearl-set columns, the surfaces with translucent blue enamel over engine-turning, the lid concealing the  snuff compartment • the left compartment concealing a chased three-color gold seven-motion automaton representing a shepherdess by a mill stream with her sheep, the shepherdess lifting her arm, a lamb and a sheep with moving heads, and a dog drinking from the fountain, water simulated by two revolving twisted glass rods issuing from the turning wheel above, background polychrome enameled lake scene, the automata are activated by raising the lid • the right compartment containing the timepiece with three white enamel, one for hours and minutes, the other for seconds, a third for regulation, against a chased vari-color gold ground • lobed-form gilt plate automaton movement with five wheel train • the case stamped with maker's mark crowned M incuse on each lid • with fitted leather box

 

Provenance

Gustave Loup, Geneva
Prominent American Family until present 

Condition

Timepiece is not running fully wound, though automaton is running well. The enamel to sides of the box appears to be restored.
"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

A similar box with the mirror image scene was in the Farouk Collection, sold by Sotheby & Co., The Palace Collections of Egypt, Cairo, March, 1954, lot 541, pl. 27 and exhibited Asprey New York, Magic Music and Motion, exhibit 26, p. 336 in the 1980s. It is possible that the Farouk box pairs with the present piece, however, another formerly in the Sandoz collection shows the same direction as the Farouk example.  See Bernard Pin, The Maurice Sandoz Collection, vol. III, 2011, p. 182. 

The present lot, formerly in the Gustave Loup collection. was illustrated in an article by Alfred Chapuis, in the French Journal l'illustre, no. 23, p. 697, fig. 2 and sometime in the 1930's-1940's 

For a note on Piguet & Capt and the crowned M, see lot 83.