116,150 CHF
The Dulcimer Concert Piguet et Capt, Geneva, No. 130, circa 1810. Very fine and rare, 18K gold and enamel, musical automaton pocket watch, in original fitted box. Two-body, Empire, by “G.D”, polished. Small eccentric white enamel, set above the automaton, upright Arabic numerals. Gold “spear” hands. The varicolored gold automaton lady plays the dulcimer. She is accompanied by a gentleman playing the violin, with a dog at his feet, the background, depicting a study with an open window, very finely painted on enamel. Gilt brass, full plate double train, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring with regulator, continental cock. Barillet musical train with six vibrating blades individually mounted to both plates, driving the automata by means of cams and levers, unusualdouble wheel stop-work.Signed and numbered on the movement ring.Diam. 61 mm. Notes This is an excellent example of a musical watch by two masters of musical automata, featuring Favre’s invention of vibrating blades, only ten years old at the time. The word “dulcimer” comes from dulce melos, Greek for sweet sound. It was popular among the gentil classes - many images from the Renaissance and later portray the dulcimer held by angels and individuals of high social position. Piguet & Capt Isaac Daniel Piguet 1775 – 1841 and Henry Capt 1775 – 1841 were partners from 1802 to 1811. They specialized in musical and automaton watches but also made very fine musical pieces w
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2004-11-14
