James Cox, London, No. 232, circa 1760, made for the Chinese Market. An exceptionaly fine and rare 22 ct. gold and hardstone snuff box, containing a watch, and a secret compartment revealing an erotic automaton scenes.

C. Rectangular with hinged double lid, the sides, top and base with pair-matched panels of grey striated agate all overlaid with repoussé rococco scroll strapwork intersected with garlands of flowers, opening to access the snuff compartment, the watch contained within the bombé lid panel, secret secondary opening on the same hinge to reveal a finely chased panel and an ivory painted panel depicting a group of ladies and a young girl gazing in rapt attention at a "magical" box operated by a gentleman holding out his cocked hat into which the audience are breathlessly dropping their coins in anticipation of the coming spectacle. Clearly the 18th Century was a period of role reversai with scant regard for the protection of minors. Sliding out a diminutive appendage on the edge of the box activates the show beginning with the disappearance of the front panel, followed by a static display of a lady and gentlemen partly disrobed in a senti can-can position, closely followed by a rather stiff representation of coites verticalis and coming finally to the automaton scene conducted in similarly upright stance, but nonetheless proving that they certainly can-can. D. White enamel, Roman numerals with winding aperture at 7 o'clock. Pierced gold hands. M. Gilt brass full-plate, with turned pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain three-arm steel balance, flat spring with regulator. Signed on the movement . In excellent condition. Dim: 80 x 47 x 58 mm.

James Cox, London, circa 1760, of Royal Association, made for the Oriental Market. An elaborate and fine silver, gilt bronze and stoneset automaton musical table dock of diminutive size.

C. Bombé form, entirely covered in sheet silver with applied gilt bronze and repoussé silver mounts of rococco scrollwork, musical trophies and tasseled drapery. Standing on four cast elephant feet with seated turbaned figures, flambeau finals to the canted corners, pierced sicle panels with displaying peacocks; portrait busts of King George III above the front arch and Queen Charlotte above the back door, flanked by the Lion and Unicorn and Musical Trophies respectively. Oval section domed top with pierced gallery engraved with scientific instruments flanked by dragons and surmounted by a revolving paste-set corse. D. White enamel with Roman and Arabic numerals, later gilt brass moon bands. Dial plate with a painted landscape riverside scene, with automaton figures and animals appearing in a aperture. M. Three-trains with shaped brass plates, going train with verge escapement, short bob pendulum, striking/repeating on bell with pin drum musical train playing on the hour or at will. Winding apertures and strike/silent setting squares in the dial plate. Signed on the dial. In very good condition. Dira: 37.5 x 25 x 20 cm.

James Cox, London, circa 1760, made for the Chinese Market. A very fine and rare 22 ct. gold and hardstone necessaire with striking watch.

C. In the fonn of a miniature "cantonier", the sides and top set with pair-matched panels of grey striated carnelian agate, overlaid with gold repoussé rococco strapwork interspersed with garlands of flowers, the double front doors with miniature Chinese mirror paintings on--the inside ( one cracked) and revealing two full width gold and agate painted drawers. Standing on four agate bail feet, the watch contained in the pierced scroll top. D. White enamel, Roman and Arabic numerals, winding apertures at 4 and 8 o'clock. Rosediamond bezel. Regulator dial above. M. Gilt brass full plate with turned pillars, fusee and chain, going train with verge escapement, plain three-am balance with flat spring. Going-barrel for the hour striking on a bell. Signed on the dial. In excellent condition. Dim: 14.5 x 7.8 x 4.5 cm.

Jas. Cox, London, circa 1770. Fine and rare gold and enamel heart-shaped automaton pendant watch with concealed erotic scenes.

C. Three-body, gilt-metal frames, the bezels overlaid in gold decorated in champlevé green and blue enamel with wavy interlaced foliage and triple line-work, the back with a scene of a Young shepherdess and her beau squeezing his bagpipes, and opening to reveal the erotic tableau, one with a most interesting scene about which we can only guess at the final outcome (or come out), however it could be that the gentleman is of a naval disposition and is fired up ready to plumb the depths prior to diving into as yet uncharted waters; the other, very staid by comparison, quite defeating this scribe 's ability to write anything of note, his energies being already exhausted by contemplation of the former. D. Heart-shaped enamel, with small Roman and Arabic chapter-ring at 6 o'clock with pink scroll border, the surround with a riverside landscape scene of two windmills, the automaton sails set with diamond chips. Blued-steel hands. M. Heart-shaped gilt-metal plates, turned pillars, fusee with chair, cylinder escapement with brass escape wheel, plain brass balance and flat spring, the pierced English style cock with shaped foot. Signed on the back plate. In good condition. In very good condition. Dim: 55 x 43 mm.

Jas. Cox, London, circa 1770. Fine and rare gold and enamel heart-shaped automaton pendant watch with concealed erotic scenes.

C. Three-body, gilt-metal frames, the bezels overlaid in gold decorated in champlevé blue and white enamel with diamond and clover pattern, the back with a promising mythological scene, opening to reveal the erotic tableau, one with a couple standing in a river, the gentleman clearly boasting of his continued standing despite the probable coolness of the water, and the lady checking to be sure that he will be able to maintain the stiff upper lip required in such circumstances; the other more to the point, with the gentleman on the point of plunging in despite the absence of water, although a porcelain receptacle rests discreetly under the bed in case of need. D. Heart-shaped enamel, with small Roman and Arabic chapter-ring at 6 o'clock with pink scroll border, the surround with a riverside landscape scene of two windmills, the automaton sails set with diamond chips. Bluedsteel hands. M. Heart-shaped gilt-metal plates, turned pillars, fusee with chais, cylinder escapement with brass escape wheel, plain brass balance and flat spring, the pierced English style cock with shaped foot. Signed on the back plate. In good condition. DUT': 55 x 43 mm.

James Cox, London, No. 1391, circa 1780, made for the Chinese Market. Rare and very fine 22 ct. gold, hardstone, jewelled and pearl-set automaton watch.

C. Inner of plain polished gold. Outer with gold frame inset with panels of grey striated agate bordered with rubies and string pearls, and divided by pierced diamond-set floral motifs. D. Small central white enamel chapter ring with Roman and Arabic numerals. Blued-steel hands. Border with revolving plate set with red stones garnet and mounted with eight rose-diamond set stars. M. Gilt brass two-train with turned pillars. Going-train with fusee and chain, verge escapement with plain three-am brass balance and flat spring. Going-arbor for the automaton train. Signed on the movement. In very good condition. Diam: 53 mm.

William Grantham, London, No. 12934, with London hallmarks for 1771, made for the Dutch Market. Fine 22 ct. gold pair cased watch.

C. Outer, double body, the bezel chased with a rocaille and floral decoration, the back pierced and repoussé in high relief with an Oriental scene depicting a Knight paying tribute to a Sultan, backed with a gold leaf engraved with the backgromld. huler, double body bassine, polished, marked "I.W." ( John Wright). D. White enamel with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring with arched divisions. Gold Louis XV hands. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with square baluster pillars, fusee with chair, verge escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, flat balance spring and gilt brass Dutch style cock pierced and engraved with foliage. Signed on the back plate. In very good condition. Diam. 47 mm.

Allen Walker, No. 623, with London hallmarks for 1783, made for the Dutch Market. Fine 22 ct. gold pair cased watch.

C. Outer, double body, the bezel chased with a rocaille and floral decoration, the back pierced and repoussé in high relief with an allegorical scene, backed with a gold leaf. Inner, double body bassine, polished, marked "R.P." (Richard Palmer I). D. White enamel with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring with arched divisions. Gold Louis XV hands. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with square baluster pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, flat balance spring and gilt brass Dutch style cock pierced and engraved with different symbols. Signed on the dial and back plate. In very good condition. Diam. 47 mm.

John Barton, London, No. 1420, with London hallmarks for 1771. Fine and important 18 ct. gold and enamel paircased watch with the portrait of the celebrated John Harrison and with a shagreen covered protecting case.

C. Outer, double body, fully chased with astronomical trophies including the grid-iron pendulum, other instrument made by John Harrison, further floral decoration and centred with a bust portrait of the celebrated John Harrison, attributed to George Michael Moser, painted en grisaille, on an oval enamel panel. h -ler, double body bassine, polished. D. White enamel with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring. Blued steel "poker and beetle " hands. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with turned pillars, fusee with chain, cylinder escapement with brass escape wheel, plane polished steel three-arm balance, flat balance spring, Gilt brass cock with diamond endstone. Gilt brass dust cap. Signed on the dust cap and }Jack plate. In very good condition. Diam. 57 mm.

Alex Cumming, London, No. 834, with London hallmarks for 1771. Fine and rare 22 ct. gold pair cased, centre seconds stop-watch with ruby cylinder escapement.

C. Outer, double body, polished marked "I.R" ( James Richard). Inner, double body bassine, polished with the same Master and hallmarks. D. White enamel with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute and seconds ring. Blued steel "poker and beetle" hands and counterpoised centre seconds. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee with chain, early ruby cylinder escapement with brass escape wheel, plain steel three-arm balance with diamond endstone, flat balance spring, gilt brass cock pierced and engraved with scrolling foliage. Stop-watch lever in the dial-plate. Signed on the dial and back plate. In very good condition. Diam. 54 mm.

Thomas Morgan, Edinr. (Edinburgh), third quarter 18th Century. Small, brass lantern-type portable wall dock with alarm.

C. Brass rectangular with hoop, wall-spurs and sicle panels. Top bell for alarm. D. Engraved brass broken arch with silvered Roman chapter ring, engraved with foliage and flowers, central alarm-setting dial. Blued steel single hand. M. Weight driven brass rectangular, verge escapement, short bob-pendulum with hold-fast. Alarm train between plates. Signed in the arch. In good condition. Dim. 12 x 9 x 7 cm.

HATTON, Thomas. An Introduction to the Mechanical part of Clock and Watch Work in tzuo parts.., a Work very useful for the zuorking mechanic or gentlemen mechanically inclined, London, 1773.

80, contemp. sheep worn, corners bumped, head & ft of sp chipped, jts cracked, pp. xvi + 400 with 18 eng flg pis.

William Dutton, London, circa 1775. A very well made brass and steel lantern type portable wall clock with alarm and fitted oak carrying-case with handle and hinges.

C. Brass, rectangular, front door hinged at the right with arched top and central circular glazed aperture, side panel sliding from top. D. Applied silvered chapter ring with Roman pour numerals, applied central alarm setting disc with Arabic numerals, single pierced hand. M. Brass, plated, rectangular with spurs, plain turned pillars, horizontal verge escapement with short bob pendulum, cylindrical brass weights with chain, sounding on bell set above the movement. Signed in the arch. Dim. 13.5 x 9 x 5 cm. In excellent condition.

Josiah Emery, London, No. 299, circa 1775. Fine and extremely rare, 22 ct. gold pair cased, half skeletonised, minute repeating watch.

C. Outer, double body, marked "P.G." (Peter Goujon), the bezel chased with interlaced decoration, the back chased with an um, foliage and further rocaille decoration, the border pierced and chased with decoration matching that of the bezel. Inner, double body, the back engraved with a rosette in a sun-burst pattern, the band pierced with scrolling foliage. D. White enamel chapter ring with Roman mimerais (hair lines). Gold "poker and beetle" hands. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with turned pillars, fusee with chain, cylinder escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, flat balance spring, gilt brass cock pierced and engraved with scrolling foliage, diamond endstone. Repeating on a bell, the repeating train with gilt brass fixed barrel with revolving arbor, the polished steel minute repeating work visible through the dial. Gilt brass dust cap. Signed on the dust cap and back plate. In very good condition. Diam. 48 mm.

Josiah Emery, Charing Cross, London, No. 1228, with London hallmarks for 1791. Fine and rare 22 ct. gold, pair cased, quarter repeating watch with ruby cylinder escapement.

C. Outer, double body, polished, marked "V.W." ( Valentine Walker). Inner, bassine with same master marks, the back engraved with scrolled decoration and a bird, the band pierced and engraved with foliage. D. White enamel with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring. Gold arrow bands. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee with chain, ruby cylinder escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring with regulator, gilt brass cock pierced and engraved with scrolled foliage, diamond endstone. Repeating on a bell by depressing the pendant. Gilt brass dust-cap. Signed on the back plate and dust-cap. In very good condition. Diam. 51 mm.

Josiah Emery, Charing Cross, London, No. 1252, with London hallmarks for 1790. Very rare and important 22 ct. stop-watch with an early lever escapement after Mudge. One of only 36 believed to have been made.

C. Three body, massive, "consular", polished, marked " V.W." (Valentine Walker). D. White enamel, of regulator type with Roman chapter, outer Arabic minute ring and subsidiaiy seconds. Gold arrow hands. M. Gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee with chair and maintaùning power, straight fine lever escapement derived directly from the model supplied by Thomas Mudge, the inventon The polished steel escape wheel with all the lift on the pallets, but without any draw. Safety action is provided by a gold dart and a steel roller with a rectangular slot to allow the dart to pass at the appropriate moment. Arnold "double-S" type balance built on a gilt brass four-am wheel, the bimetallic "S" pieces are each held by two rivets to a blued steel hollow lenticular-shaped frame secured to the balance wheel itself by two screws, the free end of each "S" piece cannes a threaded rod and a gold quarter nut for poising and mean tune adjustnnent, two additional gold quarter screws are fitted in slotted brackets. Helical blued steel balance sprnng. Typical Emery gilt brass cock engraved with foliage, diamond endstone. Bayonet fit gilt brass dust cap. Signed on the dial, dust cap and back plate. In excellent condition. Diam. 55 mm.

Frazer, Bond St, London, late 18th Century. Fine and elegant stick barometer.

C. Mahogany, bow-fronted with break-arch pediment ebony veneered cistern cover, ivory vernier setting knob. D. Silvered brass engraved with scale, weather indications and signature, ivory indicator with scale vernier. In excellent condition. H. 109 cm.

James Goddard, Bristol, circa 1780. A highly unusual carved gilt wood obelisk clock with barometer.

C. Pyramidal rising from a rectangular base, wood painted to simulate porphyry, rectangular base set on a plinth with sculpted edge supported on four paw feet and flanked by female headed griffons, pyramidal body carrying a barometer, the sides and back decorated with low relief carved classicizing decoration of swags and drapery around urns and medallions. The pyramid surmounted by a draped urn. D. White enamel, Roman hour numerals, brass diamond bands (replacements); silvered brass barometer plate with engraved scale and weather indications. M. Brass, plated, verge escapement, fusee, decorated back plate. In good condition. Dim. 80 x 24 x 24 cm.

Coulon, London, circa 1780-90 Three train quarter striking mahogany automaton musical dock with date indications.

C. Arched rectangular, veneered mahogany with square base internally arching turret; moulded brass feet, plain fluted front corner columns with brass feet and capitals, spherical brass finals and carrying handles, applied fish-scale brass grid to sicle panels and base of turret backed with green silk. Glazed back door. D. Arched rectangular, silvered centre with cut-away sector for the signature, applied chapter ring with Roman hour and Arabic minute numerals, date aperture at 6 o' clock; applied gilt brass scrolled spandrels those in the upper corners surrounding subsidiary dials for strike/silent and music selection; painted in the arch with an automaton scene of a consort of viols; cut and pierced blued steel hands. M. Rectangular with full spotted plates, plain turned pillars, fusee with chais, anchor escapement, brass pendulum with spring suspension; striking on Bell, internai count wheel, music (2 airs) on nine bells operated by pull cord, pinned barrel. In very good condition. Dim. 56 x 34 x 23 cm.

John Arnold No. 6/307, with London hallmarks for 1782. Extremely rare, silver early pocket chronometer.

C. Double body, "consular", polished. D. White enamel with Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds ( restored). Blued steel "spade" hands. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee with maintaining power, typical Arnold spring detent escapement with the detent sunk in the back plate, " OZ" compensated balance, diamond endstone, free sprung blued isochronous steel helical balance spring with patented incurved ends. Signed on the back plate. In good condition. Diam. 53 mm.