SWISS | AN EXTREMELY FINE AND RARE GOLD AND ENAMEL HUNTING CASED LEVER WATCH WITH FIVE POLYCHROME ENAMEL PAINTED PORTRAIT MINIATURESCIRCA 1875

• Movement: frosted gilt bar, lever escapement, bi-metallic compensation balance, wolf's tooth winding, unsigned• Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute ring, sunken subsidiary seconds, blued steel hands• Case: gold, the front with blue enamel monogram SLS, the back with polychrome enamel painted coat of arms with motto in gott allein, the inside front cover with polychrome enamel painted portrait miniature of a lady, the case back with portrait of a girl to the inside, gold cuvette with portrait of a young lady, the cuvette opening to reveal two further enamel panels, each with a portrait of a young girl, the miniatures all with decorative chased and engraved borders

Christie's Geneva, 7 November 1977, lot 142A
Aachener Auktionshaus Dr. Crott & Schmelzer, Auktion XIV, 26 April 1980, lot 131a

Movement: running at time of cataloguing. Dial: appears to be in good condition. Case: the monogram and coat of arms to the cover with light scratches. Portrait panel to inside of case back (i.e. within the concealed opening) has an area of restoration from the upper part of the girl's hair to the border, otherwise portrait panels appear to be in good condition. Case back is very slightly ajar to right hand side and slightly loose.
"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."

Most unusually arranged with a total of five separate enamel portraits, there is a 'double' inner cuvette which hinges open to reveal space for two of the portraits thereby ensuring the requisite space is available for all five paintings. The finely executed portraits are believed to be the wife and daughters of Samuel Leo Schuster (1830-1884) a merchant and army officer who married Lady Isabella Emma Elizabeth Fitzmaurice (1832-1906), eldest daughter of the 5th Earl of Orkney in 1858. The enamels are unsigned but may be the work of Juliette Hébert (b.1837). The portraits appear to be as follows:
Inside front lid: Isabella Emma Elizabeth Schuster (née Fitzmaurice)
Inside back lid: Isabella Augusta Schuster (daughter) born c.1862
Cuvette: Lady Isabella Schuster as a young woman
Concealed within cuvette:
Inside cuvette (left): Flora Alexandra Schuster (daughter) born 1866 
Inside cuvette (right): Lily Geraldine Schuster (daughter) born 1865