113,500 CHF
Unsigned, attributable to the workshop of Henri Maillardet, Jaquet-Droz partner in Geneva, circa 1810. Extremely fine and rare 18K gold and enamel pearl and turquoise set caterpillar automaton, in red leather fitted box. Fully articulated and realistically decorated as a caterpillar, it is composed by 11 turquoise set red translucent enamelled and black mottled body sections fitted into each other with alternate splitpearl set links. Gilt brass shaped with going barrel and fly regulator, driving the two small knurled wheels imitating the realistic movements of the caterpillar by means of cams and levers. Dim. 75 x 14 mm. Notes Literature: Similar pieces are described and illustrated by A. Chapnis and E. Gdli.s in Le Monde des Automates, vol. II p. 154, fig. 427 and by A. Chapnis and E. Droz, Les Automates, pp. 248-249, fig. 294. Two similar caterpillars, from the N1: unite and Edonard Sandoz Collection, part of the exhibition in Le 1ocle, Chateau des Monts, are described in the catalogue pp. 88-89 and 110-11 I. Apparently, no more than 3 caterpillars of this type are known to exist: one, in Le Monde des Automates was formerly in the Bernard Frank Collection, in Paris; the other illustrated in Les Automates was formerly in the lkle Collection in Saint Gall. Both seem to be now in the Sanrloz Collection. The newly discovered one, now offered for sale, is almost identical to that of the Sandoz Collection, illustrated page 89 of the catalogue. With fete other small automato Read more…
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1997-10-18
