• vertically arranged rectangular box, the left lower panel concealing a timepiece modeled as a festooned clock with separate seconds dial, the right panel revealing a vari-color gold automaton scene of two cupids forging arrows, with hound and quiver in the foreground, the enamel landscape scene including a windmill automaton with revolving gold sail, the top compartment fitted with a mirror • the covers mounted with four octagonal panels with standing figures symbolic of the Seasons: Spring, Summer, and Autumn as young women holding the appropriate emblems and Winter as an old man with a brazier, centered by an applied gold Apollo mask with floral garland • the base and sides enameled in translucent  blue over engine-turning within borders of leaf tips and double arches with urns at the ends • with contemporary enamel gold key • the automaton and timepiece probably by Piguet & Capt, Geneva

Chester Beatty Collection, Dublin
Sotheby's London, Sir Chester Beatty Collection, 3rd December 1962, lot 152
Prominent American Family until present

Automaton timepiece in working order, although will require cleaning. Enamel restoration to the blue on the sides and bottom, central blue enamel restored on top of lid, the mirror on the interior with patination and possibly replaced, the figures generally good with minor area of restoration to the figure of spring. Father Winter is an unusual element, as normally all Four Seasons are the same gender. The vertical layout of the four panels on the lid is also quite rare.
"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."

Sir Alfred Chester Beatty (1875-1968) was an Irish-American millionaire and collector, known as the ‘King of Copper’ as he had made his fortune in mining. He moved to England before World War I and devoted much of the rest of his life to his many collections which included stamps, Chinese scent bottles, paintings and decorative arts, Egyptian papyri, and watches, gold boxes and objects of vertu (sold at Sotheby’s in 1962 and 1963). Although he had become a British citizen and was knighted by the Queen, his last years were spent in Dublin where he had established the Chester Beatty Library to house the book collections which he had donated to the Republic of Ireland.

For a note on Piguet & Capt, see lot 83.