878,000 HKD
Jaquet Droz & Leschot, London, No. 1293, circa 1780, the watch and music, completed for the Chinese Market, circa 1840. "Playing at Thread the Needle" Fine and very rare silver gilt and enamel, pearl-set singing bird box with music and built-in centre seconds watch. Three body rectangular with rounded corners, fully engraved with a floral decoration with red and blue lacquered ornaments, the hinged cover set with split pearls on border and around the singing bird aperture the enamel lid of the bird finely painted by Richter with a charming scene depicting children "Playing at Thread the Needle " after a painting by William Hamilton, R.A., engraved by Bartolotti, the hinged lid of the front watch with split-pearl set bezel. White enamel with Roman numerals and outer minute and second ring. Blued steel "spade" hands. Brass rectangular double train, the free standing barrels with female winding squares, going train with cylinder escapement, brass escape wheel, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring with regulator. Musical train with pin-disc and 20 steel teeth. Singing bird movement: Oval plates with turned pillars, fusee with chain, circular bellow, the bird with moving wings, tail and beak, controlled by a stack of 8 cams, inertia wheel regulator. Gilt brass engraved grill and outer gold protection grill, pierced and engraved with foliage. Signed on the protection grill. In very good condition. Dim. 113 x 71 x 43 mm. Notes An identical singing bird box, Read more…
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1997-06-09
