Basket of FlowersGeneva

Basket of FlowersGeneva, maker's mark a coronet above M incuse, possibly Jaques Moulinié, circa 1820. Very fine and rare, gold and enamel, pearl-set, automaton snuff box with a concealed watch. 30 x 19 mm, full brass plate, semi-circular, going barrel, cylinder escapement, steel escape wheel, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring. The automaton movement: 30 x 19 mm, semi-crcular, full brass plate, fixed barrel, seven wheel train with the last pinion on eccentric adjustable bushing to regulate the speed of the automated movements.Case stamped M under a 3-prong crown.Dim. 81 x 44 x 14 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, pages 418-419. Notes A box of identical shape, with identical automaton and watch movements, was in the Pierpont Morgan Collection, described in the catalogue under No. 85, and is now in the Metropolitan Museum of New York. Another one is preserved in the Sandoz Collection, described by Alfred Chapuis and Edmond Droz in 'Les Automates', plate VII and p.180.