163,000 CHF
James Cox, London No. 631 and 632, made for the Chinese Market, circa 1770. Magnificent and extremely rare 20K gold and agate, pair of diamond-set scent bottles with a built-in hour striking and repeating clock-watch. Each watch movement is fitted in a scent bottle made of dendritic agate within gold frames chased with a floral and rocaille decoration, the bases with a rose-cut diamond set lid disclosing a small compartment. Gilt brass dust-caps. Each white enamel with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring. Blued steel "poker and beetle " hands. Gilt brass full plate with tapered pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, flat balance spring, gilt brass English cocks. Striking and repeating trains each with a fixed barrel, striking and repeating the hours on a bell, the striking train, released for repetition by means of a bolt concealed in the gold decoration below the dial. Signed on dust caps and back plates. Dim. 15 x 6 cm. Notes With a diameter of 23,5 nun and 70 mm of thickness, the hour striking clock watch movements contained in this pair of scent bottles arc amongst the smallest of this kind ever wade.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1997-10-18
