90,850 CHF
The Theater Attributable to the Du Bois workshop, Locle, circa 1810. Extremely rare and fine 18K gold, double-face musical automaton watch. Three-body, “Empire”, glazed covers, fluted band with engraved laurel-leaf pattern. White enamel, Breguet Roman numerals,outer minute divisions, winding aperture between 8 and 9 o’clock, at 4 o’clock aperture for winding the music and automaton. AutomatonscenEexceptionally well executed, depicting a couple dancing on a stage with mirrored walls under a multicolored gold dome. Themusic is provided by a lady harpist sitting on the right, while a gentleman to the left, with a musical score, conducts. 52 mm, gilt fullplate, cylindrical pillars, going barrel, cylinder escapement with brass escape wheel, three-arm plain brass balance, flat balance spring,pinned cylinder musical movement with six sections of two vibrating teeth each, the theater and the musicians driven from cams andlevers of the musical train.Diam. 61 mm. Notes The “Theater” is one of the rarest of automaton watches. Only ten are known: 1One formerly in the Gélis Collection 2One in the Sandoz Collection, formerly in the Loup Collection 3One formerly in the Salomons Collection 4One signed Louis Duchêne et Fils, sold at Antiquorum, April 21, 1996, lot No. 258. 5One featured in Antiquorum’s auction “The Art of Horology in Geneva”, November 13-14, 1999, lot No. 74. 6One by Du Bois et Fils, in a private German collection. 7One sold by Antiquorum, April 13, 2002, lot 65. 8One s
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2004-11-14
