Exceptionelle, rare et belle montre de gousset... Lot n° 29

Exceptionelle, rare et belle montre de gousset automate à cadran ouvert en or jaune 18K (750) avec décor en émail, perles et diamants remontoir à clef An exceptional, fine and rare 18K gold key wind open face automaton pocket watch with enamel, seed pearl and diamond decoration Date: Circa 1870 Movement: Gilt full plate fusee verge, 3-arm brass balance Dial: White, black Roman numerals, black outer minute track, winding aperture at 8, gilt hands Case: Seed pearl set polychrome enamel scene to back depicting a winged putti with an arrow and laurel wreath and a second putti with an injured foot either side of an ornate urn, concealed automaton scene to cuvette with automaton couple moving on a seesaw with the male reaching stone set hanging fruit, in the foreground a finely engraved dog and two sheep rest, in the background an enamel pastoral scene beside a watermill with stone set automaton sails, winding aperture near the fruit tree Size: 56mm Weight: 131,00g Footnotes: The Seesaw The popularity of the automaton watch during the late 18th and early 19th century coincided with the transformation of the watch from mechanical jewel into precision timekeeper. The watchmaker demanded ever more complex motion from the interaction of wheels and pinions and combined with ever more detailed enamelling and gold work, the automaton watch was born. Produced in very limited numbers, automatons are incredible pieces of art that stand as testament to the exceptional skills of the period. Watches featuring a seesaw automata are amongst the rarest of all automaton watches. Other known examples have depicted the balance between Psyche and Cupid or even two figures balanced with cupids bow acting as the seesaw. The current lot features a seesaw portrayal we have not come across in our research of a male and female with the male reaching up towards some overhanging fruit. As his hand reaches the fruit, the branch shakes as if he really has just pulled an apple from the tree. The sense of luxury is further elevated by each piece of fruit represented with a tiny pink gem. The scene is completed with two sheep resting under the watchful protection of a dog in the foreground whilst further shepherds tend to their animals beside a waterfall and automaton windmill in the background. This is such a charming and playful automata that even today it brings entertainment. Although not signed, this automaton timepiece is certainly in the style of celebrated makers such as Isaac Daniel Piguet, Henry Capt, Philippe Samuel Meylan or Pierre Morand. It is not unusual for such complicated automatons to be not signed and Henry Capt in particular left most of his work unsigned with a limited number of pieces bearing his scratched name on the movements. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com Movement: Not running but automaton is functioning Dial: Light surface marks, very minor nicks around the edge particularly near 12 and 5 Hands: Minute hand is slightly bent at the tip Glass: Light scratches Case: Light scratches, small repair tot he enamel back near the hinge, all stones present at time of cataloguing. Some light scratches to the automaton and nicks to the enamel around the winding aperture We do not test any watches for their accuracy and as such timekeeping cannot be guaranteed. We advise that if you are bidding on a watch, that you or your agents are completely satisfied with the condition of the lot. We recommend that all watches are serviced and polished after the sale as they are handled throughout the viewing period. Please note that although Bonhams endeavour to include reference to any replacement parts within our Condition Reports we cannot confirm that each individual element of the watch is original or that, if replaced, the replacement has been made using original manufacturer's parts.