Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Hotel Noga Hilton, Oct 16, 2005

LOT 324

?The Automaton Goblet? Jozsef Nagy, Marosvasarhely-Erdely. Made in Hungary probably in the second half of 18th Century, possibly using earlier components. Fine, probably unique, silver goblet with concealed musical box and automaton wheels to allow horizontal movement. Accompanied by a photocopy of the Ord-Hume article relating to the goblet.

CHF 12,000 - 14,000

EUR 8,000 - 9,000 / USD 10,000 - 12,000

Sold: CHF 17,825

C. Two-body, engraved with stripes with punched decoration, the front with an oval cartouche inscribed ?Ezgpohgr Bujdosik Kirozsgmert num iszik G Kirglyngk nem hive se g Hgzghoz nincs szive 1651?, everted rim, stepped foot, gilt interior, the base secured by three screws, three brass serrated-edge wheels protruding through the base-plate, winding arbours for the music and the motionwork. M. 58 mm., brass full-plate, going barrels, two driving wheels on a common axis driven through a contrate wheel engaging with a long small-diameter pinion, the third wheel forming an equilateral triangle with the other two for stability, sur plateau-type musical mechanism with ten individually footed tuned steel teeth, stop/start work on edge of disc. Movement signed. Dim. Height 105 mm. Diameter 74 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-17

Good

Slightly spotted
Movement: 3-8

Good

Slightly scratched

Notes

The silver goblet bears a Hungarian inscription and the date ?1651?, the meaning is almost untranslatable but literally reads: ?This glass is hiding / he who doesn't drink for my love / is not (a) follower of The King / neither loves wholeheartedly his country?. The tone of the inscription is reminiscent of the subterfuge and uprisings of the 17th Century and the shape of the goblet has some similarities with other European silver of the period. However the date cannot necessarily be taken literally and it is certain that the beaker has been altered to accommodate the musical movement and that the two parts are of different dates of manufacture. The concept of automaton table decorations and novelties is well recorded and there are surviving examples of 17th Century Nefs (table decorations in the form of ships) that move along a flat surface in a similar manner. Therefore the date inscribed could either be the date of the goblet, the date of its presentation or the date of origin for the incription. The Musical Movement The accepted story of the invention of the tuned steel tooth in musical box development credits the Swiss maker Antoine Favre and a date of 1797. However, Favre's invention is not exactly described and was not put forward as a new invention at the time. It was a means of ?providing a carillon without bells? in a small watch and a far cry from saying that Favre invented the steel tooth. According to Arthur Ord-Hume: The Musical Box, Harper-Collins, 1980, France was the most likely birthplace of the tuned steel tooth. However, the discovery of the present lot suggests that the art perhaps developed in Hungary. The main problem with this theory is the lack of supporting evidence, the present lot bears a spurious date, is unprovenanced and the maker appears to be unrecorded. From the general appearance of the movement, it would seem to pre-date the 1790s era, making it an important documentary piece in any case. The Maker Jozsef Nagy is not recorded as a watchmaker but Maros-Vasarhely is certainly a town in Hungary. A Samuel Nagy was working in Budapest, becoming Master in 1780.