119,000 CHF
Geneva, circa 1815. Fine and rare 18K gold and enamel two-blade pearl-set pocket knife with built-in musical movement, in original fitted box. Rectangular gold frame, painted with a fruit composition on one face, with flowers on the reverse, outer split-pearl inlaid, champlevé enamelled trophies, urn and foliage decoration over scarlet and green flinqué ground. Gold and steel blades. Rectangular brass pinned drum musical train with six stacked tuned teeth.Dim. 94 x 14 mm. Notes Previously in the celebrated Gustave Loup Collection, this knife was described and illustrated by Alfred Chapuis, in La Montre Chinoise, p. 64, fig. 42.A gold blade was used for fruit, since silver or steel would be oxidized by acidity.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2000-04-02
