ID 1250851
Lot 12 | A SWISS ENAMELLED FOUR-COLOUR GOLD TIGHTROPE DANCER AUTOMATON MUSICAL BOX
Estimate value
£ 120 000 – 180 000
THE AUTOMATON, GENEVA, CIRCA 1780; THE BOX BY M&P UNDER CROWN, HANAU, CIRCA 1780
Oval, chased in four-colour gold, on the base with a trophy of musical instruments in a gallery hung with flowers festoons, foliage, and a chandelier, and on the sides with four musical trophies in reserves hung with pierced garlands and divided by columns pierced for sound with chevrons, and rosettes; the top with hinged glass cover, the automaton centred by a tightrope dancer in tutu and feathered hat framed by a columned alcove hung with laurel swags and flanked by vases of flowers above foliate scrolls, the ground partly enamelled in sky blue, green and marbled; the base hinged for key compartment; the start and stop buttons in the design of the side; the movement hinged into the case, skeletonized and finished in gilt metal and polished steel with a five-bell musical carillon, marked in the cover and compartment, with replacement key and in later fitted silk case
3 in. (7,5 cm.) long
gross weight 8 oz. 4 dwt. (256 gr.)
Provenance
Sir John Keswick K.C.M.G. (1906-1982) and Clare, Lady Keswick (1905-1998), then by descent.
| Medium: | Acrylic glass, Enamel, Gold, Plastic |
|---|---|
| Place of origin: | Western Europe, Europe, Switzerland |
| Auction house category: | All other types of objects, Boxes and Cases |
| Medium: | Acrylic glass, Enamel, Gold, Plastic |
|---|---|
| Place of origin: | Western Europe, Europe, Switzerland |
| Auction house category: | All other types of objects, Boxes and Cases |
| Address of auction |
CHRISTIE'S 8 King Street, St. James's SW1Y 6QT London United Kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Preview |
| |
| Phone | +44 (0)20 7839 9060 | |
| Buyer Premium | see on Website | |
| Conditions of purchase | Conditions of purchase |



