Lot 86
- 86
THE FIRE BRIGADE
Estimate
300,000 - 500,000 USD
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Description
- A REMARKABLE AND PROBABLY UNIQUE VARI-COLOR GOLD ENAMEL AND PEARL AUTOMATON SNUFF BOXATTRIBUTED TO PIGUET & CAPT GENEVA1798-1809
- gold and enamel
- length 86 mm
• rectangular case with canted corners, the hinged glazed cover with pearl-set bezel, the scene as follows • the automaton features 12 motions and includes a lady at the right working a classical fountain, from which water is pumped to the fire cart at center, operated by two men, each with two moving arms pumping the central handle to shoot a jet of water toward the flaming roof, the water simulated by spiral glass rods; at the left a soldier stands at attention, a hound, chattels and an overturned table in the foreground • the background richly enameled with the burning building situated in a lakeside village, with figures carrying pails in the foreground, a youth climbing a ladder to rescue a young girl, open windows revealing an automated parade of six figures including a mother with child and others carrying possessions, all below the moving flames, the flame motion realistically conveyed via a rapidly revolving red metal wheel, the automaton played on demand, lever at back to start the motion • the base painted in the manner of Richter, with a classical landscape, a shepherdess and other figures in front of a lake, with ships and town in the distance, on the right a cascade below a temple, translucent ocher sunset sky, the sides with matching landscape and borders of champlevé enamel with urns, birds and foliage, marked on rim with French standard mark for 18k gold in use 1798 -1809, a head of a man with numbers (possibly 63) and two later eagle head control marks, the backplate of the movement is scratched 'reparé par Charles Bruguier Janvier 1847'
Provenance
The collection of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew P. McCullough
Prominent American Family until present
Prominent American Family until present
Exhibited
New York, A La Vieille Russie, Antique Automatons, 1950, no. 66
Literature
Roy Mosoriak, The Curious History of Music boxes, Chicago 1943, pp. 90-91, plate 17, two views
Catalogue of the Exhibition Antique Automatons, A La Vieille Russie 1950, Cat. no. 66
Catalogue of the Exhibition Antique Automatons, A La Vieille Russie 1950, Cat. no. 66
Condition
The top panel with damage around winding hole and loose glazed hinged cover, part of a glass rod missing, damage to flames and cracks to the enamel building,
base good, three of the side scenes with chips at edges, and old restoration,
with associated box
Motions:
1. lady hand and arm pull the handle
2. handle to the fountain pumping water
3. the water spewing from top of fountain down into basin,
4. water going through glass rod hose between the fountain and fire pump truck
5 and 6 man at right using two hands both pumping central pump handle
7. pump handle
8 and 9. man at left using two hands both pumping
10. glass rod hose shooting water to burning building
11. simulating flames
12. procession of six people in the building fleeing the fire:
i. man with a pail of water
ii. lady carrying a basket on her head
iii. lady runing with hands outstretched in fron
iv. Man with arms open wide
v. lady with a baby
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."
Catalogue Note
This elaborate automaton scene with 12 motions relates to the "Tavern Courtyard Box" sold Swiss Mechanical Marvels, part I, Sotheby's New York, June 2015, lot 110.
For a discussion and illustrations of boxes including multi-figure automaton scenes, including the "Tavern Courtyard Box," see Alfred Chapuis and Edouard Gélis, Le Monde des Automates, 1928, chapter 17, pp. 63-65, fig🔜s. 345-347. Two pieces are in t♈he Sir David Salomons Collection at the L.A. Mayer Museum for Islamic Art, Jerusalem.
The Charles Bruguier repair signature on the automaton plate is likely either Charles Abraham Bruguier (1788-1862), or his son of the same name. The Bruguier f🍌amily was famous Geneva makers of musical and singing bird boxes and were also known to h🀅ave worked on automaton boxes.
For a note on Piguet & Capt, see lot 83.