276,000 HKD
The Forge of Love Attributed to John Rich, made for the Chinese market, circa 1800. Very fine and rare 18K gold and enamel automaton watch. Two-body, "Empire", back cover with translucent Imperial blue enamel over elaborate "sunburst" engine-turning, center with elaborate paillon rosette, outermost with paillon decoration, champlevé enamel front bezel, gilt spring-loaded cuvette hinged to the movement ring. Small white enamel with Breguet numerals and outer minute track set at the top of the automaton scene. Blued steel “Breguet” hands. Automaton scene depicting three multicolored gold cupids making their arrowheads; one forging, one hammering, and the third sharpening, the background, depicting an Alpine landscape with a castle and mountains in the background, painted on enamel on a gold plate. 48 mm. (21’’’), gilt brass, Lepine calibre, two separate bridges, one for the going train with standing barrel, one for the automaton train with fixed barrel and five-wheel train, cylinder escapement, three-arm plain brass balance with flat balance spring, adjustable eccentrically mounted pinionas governor.Diam. 59 mm. Notes Cupid (Eros), the god of love, was the son of Venus. He was her constant companion; and with his bow and arrow, shot darts of desire into the bosoms
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2004-06-06
