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Lot Essay
The automaton mechanism and painted on enamel landscape scene is a classic example of the fine work being done in Switzerland at the end of the 18th and early 19th centuries.
The dial has the very unusual feature of an “animated” scene where an enamelled disc decorated with four different scenes is driven by the escapement and rotates constantly in the aperture to the rhythm of the seconds to delightful effect.
The Courvoisier family of La Chaux-de-Fonds played an important part in Swiss watch and clock making. Several generations of the family were involved in the business through various associations. Josué-Robert with his son founded Robert Josué et fils; in 1781 the firm became J. Robert et fils et Cie. It was run by Captain Louis Robert and Louis Courvoisier. Robert's widow continued the firm from 1787 as J. Robert et fils, Courvoisier et Cie. In 1805 the name changed to Robert, Courvoisier et Cie and in 1811 to Courvoisier et Cie.
The dial has the very unusual feature of an “animated” scene where an enamelled disc decorated with four different scenes is driven by the escapement and rotates constantly in the aperture to the rhythm of the seconds to delightful effect.
The Courvoisier family of La Chaux-de-Fonds played an important part in Swiss watch and clock making. Several generations of the family were involved in the business through various associations. Josué-Robert with his son founded Robert Josué et fils; in 1781 the firm became J. Robert et fils et Cie. It was run by Captain Louis Robert and Louis Courvoisier. Robert's widow continued the firm from 1787 as J. Robert et fils, Courvoisier et Cie. In 1805 the name changed to Robert, Courvoisier et Cie and in 1811 to Courvoisier et Cie.