• oval case with hinged cover enameled with a brilliantly colored neoclassical wedding, within a double split pearl and blue enamel border • opening to reveal a painted automaton scene of a workshop in Vernis Martin technique • the six motion automaton scene depicting three knife grinders including one seated at bench operating a wheel with his arm and his foot on a treadle connected to the power wheel above, a second kneeling figure hammers at an anvil, while a third operates with his foot grinding a wheel, cooled by an automated jet of water, now lacking the twisted glass rods, music operating together with the automaton, in the background a dolphin fountain with double revolving twisted glass rods, the base with hinged compartment • skeletonized oval movement with fusee and mainspring barrel, carillon music work with five hammers playing on a nest of five bells • the music work and automata operated by means of a lever at the rear of the case • the side panels decorated with translucent emerald green enamel on fabric like engine turned ground, divided by partly pierced sections of flower filled urns and borders of white enamel over lines and red beads, the base decorated to match within a border of chased trefoils and translucent red flower heads • struck with maker's mark GRG crowned for Guidon Rémond and Gide

American Collection until present
A la Vielle Russie, 1950.

 New York Antique Automatons

No. 150, fig. 12, 1950.

Top cover - enamel painting of the highest quality, well preserved and virtually unmarked, other than the handling residue at edge where panel meets the pearl set bezel. Side panels - in overall good condition apart from one small area of loss to the front upper left corner. Automaton- lacking two glass rods, two screws securing the automata panel to the movement. Left figure – leg moves very slightly, and arm replaced and with no motion, the foot pedal with nearly full motion despite the sluggish performance of the figures leg. Center figure - with full range of motion. Right figure - with full range of motion, glass rod not turning, wheel and various connector rods in good working order and minor paint loss to winding hole and the screw holes at 3 and 9. The well - painted figures each with some wear, small areas of losses to the enamel and some restoration to the enamel on the moving limbs of each figure. Areas of wear to the bluing of the blued steel connectors. Vernis Martin finish - the automata plate enamel with uniform patina and surface abrasions, including several minor small losses to the finish around the screw holes, spring latch, beneath the wheel, and to the right of the standing grinder. Figures are well painted and generally good condition apart from some crazing to the surface and possibly repainting to right figure's arm. The music – sound generally good, however a bit sluggish and could use a cleaning, one or two discordant notes suggesting attention needed to one of the hammers.
"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.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

The plate arrangement and nesting bells of the automata and music work are typical of Jaquet Droz & Leschot. The firm’s work is recognized in boxes and watches incorporating music automata and singing birds housed in elaborately decorated cases such as the present lot. For a note on Jaquet Droz & Leschot see lot 104.

The present&꧙nbsp;lot incorporates a range of unusual features, from its superbly executed enamel plaque to the complex automata and skeletonized carillon music work. An additional rarity is the translucent green enamel panels, rather than the characteristic translucent blue enamel that dec𒉰orates the majority of Rémond's boxes.  In fact, the earliest recorded box by this maker was executed in translucent green enamel.

Only a handful of oval shaped automaton boxes with music are known. Furthermore, the automaton scene executed in Vernis Martin is uncommon.  Vernis Martin was widely used in other areas of 18th century decorative arts, although seldom found o𒀰n automata,

For music work of a similar manufacture and style see: The Mirror of Seduction, exhibition catalogue, Patek Philippe Museum, Geneva, 2ꦯ010, pp. 60-61.

The superb quality and vibrant palette used on the enamel plaque is characteristic of the work of Jean-Abraham Lissignol (1749-1819). For other pieces in this collection attributed to Lissignol see lots 107 and 111.

The  present lot's complementary companion was formerly part of the Maurice Sandoz Collection. For illustrations of the Sandoz box, see Bernard Pin, Watches and Automata: The Maurice Sandoz Collection, vol. III, p.183, 2011.