20,700 CHF
Attributed to James Cox, movement by J. Grantham, London, No. 5778, made for the Chinese market circa 1760. Exceptional and extremely rare gilt mounted agate traveler's nécessaire fitted with a watch, compass and spy glass. Rectangular, in the shape of a casket with hinged lid, made of gray/brown striped agate mounted in repoussé gold with floral and rocaille pattern, dragon feet, inside compartments with four scent bottles, spy glass, a mirror, a lens,an ear spoon, a brush and a watch key. The watch is mounted inside the lid. 35 mm, hinged, frosted gilt full plate with square baluster pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, steel balance with flat balance spring, single-footed cock.Signed on the movement.Dim. 9 x 7 x 6 cm. Notes Very few of these caskets are known. One, made by James Cox, is now in the Palace Museum of the Forbidden City. The similarities between them are so striking that there is little doubt it came from the same workshop; the same type of agate was used, same pattern of mounting, and the same feet, only the watch differs.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2003-10-11
