GERMAN | A MAGNIFICENT GILT-METAL, ENAMEL, RUBY AND DIAMOND-SET OBELISK TIMEPIECE WITH GOLD MOUNTS AND RENAISSANCE STYLE DECORATIONCIRCA 1720

• Movement: rectangular gilded full plates, verge escapement, pierced and engraved balance bridge, fusee and chain • Dial: gold champlevé dial, Roman numerals with half hour divisions between, inner ring with quarter hour divisions, blued steel single hour hand, backplate with applied diamond, ruby and enamel decoration, subsidiary dial to the upper point of the obelisk for minutes• Case: gilt brass with gold mounts, base with three glazed panels, applied foil backed diamonds and rubies, chased detail to the background, the top with four panels, glazed apertures, four winged sphinxes supporting each corner, embellished with applied enamel scrolls and swags, highlighted with foil backed rubies and diamonds, chased detail to the background, surmounted by an urn with enamel decoration

Antiquorum, Geneva, 12 April 2003, lot 494

Dial: Some tarnishing. Case:Some tarnishing throughout the case. Areas of restoration and slight damage to the enamel decoration. Movement: running at the time of cataloguing.
"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 present lot is probably from Dresden and likely the work of Court Jeweller Johann Heinrich Köhler (1669-1736).  He worked as a goldsmith, jeweller, and ivory carver, and went on to become the court Jeweller in 1718 under Friedrich Augustus I of Saxony.  For two clocks of similar design see Joachim Menzhausen, The Green Vaults, Leipzig ,1970, p. 101, pl. 106.  Kohler was one of several who supplied the Dresden Court in the circle of Johann Melchior Dinglinger. A famous Dinglinger obelisk in Dresden is illustrated in Johann Melchior Dinglinger Band 1 , p. 219 fig. 281