Attributed to Moulini

Attributed to Moulinié, Bautte & Cie, Geneva, circa 1806. Magnificent and rare 18 ct. gold and enamel, pearl- diamond- and emerald-set, combined watch and perfume sprinkler in form of a flintlock pistol, made for the Near and Middle Eastern market, with matching key and later leather fitted box. The grip of translucent scarlet enamel on a flinqué ground, the borders set with half pearls. Gold plates, finely chased with a dog on one side and a rabbit on the reverse, are framed with diamonds. The barrel of cobalt blue translucent enamel over a flinqué ground with a gold scroll design simulating damascene work, and finished by a ring of diamonds. The gold engraved hammer set with two large diamonds in the centre. The perfume is released through the pistils of a gold lotus flower with reand white champlevé enamelled petals, which is shot out of the barrel. The watch is concealed in the end of the butt, which is decorated with diamond surrounds centred on the front by a large emerald and on the back by an opal, two gold chains with loose ring. 15 mmo, gilt brass full plate, cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain three-arm brass balance, continental cock perced and engraved.Length 111 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, pages 408-409. Notes Cocking the hammer sets up the mechanism, at the same time lowering the trigger. When the trigger is pressed, the hammer descends, and the lotus flower pops out of the barrel, its petals opening and the perfume being