.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
US$62,000-100,000
The first automatons appeared in Geneva in the late 18th century, small technical marvels imitating the movements of living creatures, ranging from simpler "Bras en l'air" figures whose arms would indicate the time to incredibly complex works such as this forge of love scene where three adorable cherubims are making and sharpening their arrows of love - the figure on the left moving his arm and leg at the treadle wheel grinder, the central figure is hammering and the figure on the right activating the bellows for the fire, with moving flames.
The moving flame for the fire is particularly charming and generally used in the upper quality automaton watch. Generally made of twisted column glass or metal, depending of their color and rotation, they can simulate a burning fire or flowing water (see lot 71, Geneva, May 16, 2011, Moses hitting the rock)
With his five separate actions, this watch is amongst the one's with the highest number of automaton actions, because only few are known with four actions, and an exceedingly rare number with or over six actions. Futhermore, the delicacy of the painted enamel scene on the background highlights the quality of the work.
The first automatons appeared in Geneva in the late 18th century, small technical marvels imitating the movements of living creatures, ranging from simpler "Bras en l'air" figures whose arms would indicate the time to incredibly complex works such as this forge of love scene where three adorable cherubims are making and sharpening their arrows of love - the figure on the left moving his arm and leg at the treadle wheel grinder, the central figure is hammering and the figure on the right activating the bellows for the fire, with moving flames.
The moving flame for the fire is particularly charming and generally used in the upper quality automaton watch. Generally made of twisted column glass or metal, depending of their color and rotation, they can simulate a burning fire or flowing water (see lot 71, Geneva, May 16, 2011, Moses hitting the rock)
With his five separate actions, this watch is amongst the one's with the highest number of automaton actions, because only few are known with four actions, and an exceedingly rare number with or over six actions. Futhermore, the delicacy of the painted enamel scene on the background highlights the quality of the work.