JAMES COX LONDON

• Movement: gilt verge movement, balance cock pierced and engraved with foliate scrolls, baluster pillars, signed James Cox, London no. 1359
• Dial: white enamel dial, Roman numerals, blued steel beetle and poker hands, red paste-set bezel
• Case: the casket form case set with earth-tone agate panels, overlaid with chased gold foliate strap work, moulding set with vari-color pastes, the top inset with a watch and hinged opening revealing an elaborate set of implements, mounted on four charming cast sheep supports
• Necessaire: complete with original and later gilt metal implements including a spyglass, ivory aide memoire, a rouge box, a corkscrew, bodkin and needle and a variety of
other implements

Movement running at the time of cataloguing. Casket with 23 individual gilded inset pieces, all present. Dial and hands in good condition, hands slightly loose. Casket is good condition with scuffs and scratches through out to be expected. Agate panels and chasing bright and lively the rear agate panel looks to be restored. Bottom plate of casket has slightly come away from the body of the casket, but the structure remains sturdy.
"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 necessaire with timepiece is a good example of objects exported to the Far East from England during the second half of the 18th century. The difficulty of finding acceptable goods with which to trade with China, and the Chinese Imperial fascination with complicated automaton clocks, stimulated English watch and clockmakers to produce many imaginative creations. For other examples of Cox’s pieces, see Sotheby’s London, October 8, 1993, lot 203.

A similar piece was sold at Sotheby’s May 2011, lot 113 by James Ransom, London.

For an extensive account of James Cox’s life and work, see Ian White, English Clocks for the Eastern Markets, Great Britain, 2012 Chapters 5-7, pp.94-207 with illustrations throughout, also see Alfred Chapuis & Edouard Gélis, Le Monde des Automates, Paris, 1928, vol. I, Ch. 8, pp. 223-273 & 250-259, Alfred Chapuis & Edmond Droz, Les Automates, Neuchatel, 1958, Ch. 5, pp. 99-123, Clare Le Corbeiller, “James Cox: A
Biographical Review”, The Burlington Magazine, cxii, 1970, pp. 351-358.