26,450 CHF
Unsigned, Geneva, attributable to Henry Capt, circa 1815. "La Forge de Cupidon" Fine and rare, small 18K gold and enamel, pearl-set musical watch with automaton scene. Three body Empire with reeded band and splitpearl set bezels, the back of blue flinque enamel. Hinged gilt brass cuvette. Small eccentric gold engine-turned with Roman numerals. Blued steel "spade" hands. The enamel dial plate painted with a Swiss landscape below the dial and applied with a very fine varicoloured gold automaton scene, depicting two cherubs busily working in a forge: one is forging weapons for Venus while another sharps the arrows. Gilt brass double train, with going barrel, cylinder escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring with regulator. The musical train with pin drum, six stacked vibrating blades, driving the automata by means of cams and levers. Diam. 42 mm. Notes The movement of this watch is very much in the style of those produced by Henry Capt, who was by that time, with Piguet Meylan, the specialist in musical watches with automaton scenes.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1997-11-16
