ILBERY, LONDON | A FINE AND RARE GOLD, ENAMEL AND PEARL-SET AUTOMATON WATCH MADE FOR THE CHINESE MARKETCIRCA 1810

• Movement: gilded, cylinder escapement, two-trains and separate standing barrels for going and automata, three-arm brass balance wheel, slide for activating automata close to case hinge • Dial: small white enamel dial with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring, the five-motion automaton consisting of three vari-coloured Cupids in the foreground, one on a grinder, one at an anvil, and another at an oven with rotative depiction of fire, all within a polychrome painted enamel scene of Cupid's Forge of Love with a pair of lovebirds to the foreground, all against a polychrome painted enamel lakeside landscape• Case: gold case with translucent blue enamel over engine turning, split-pearl-set bezels, the case back released via a pusher set to the pendant, stirrup bow • gilt metal cuvette with opening catch beneath the pendant, plain polished gilt metal cuvette signed Ilbery London to the interior

Dial: in good condition Case: scuffs to the translucent blue enamel, chip to the edge. Scuffs to the gold band. Movement: Movement and automata working at 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 watch bears the signature of Ilbery to the cuvette, however it was likely created by another workshop and subsequently retailed by Ilbery. A further similar example was sold at Sotheby's New York, 10 December 2015, lot 199. A further example of the automaton of the Cupid's Forge theme is illustrated in Watches & Automata, The Maurice Sandoz Collection, plate I.20, page 126.