Important Collectors’ Wristwatches Po...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 21, 1995

LOT 118

Henry Borrell, London,circa 1815. Fine fire-gilt brass quarter striking, musical automaton dock.

C. Rectangular with Bell-shaped top, gilt-brass. Extended two-tier spray-footed base; central rectangular stage with chamfered corners; top with pineapple finial. The whole case with light reliefengraved symmetrical feather decoration, concave second tier base return with altemating panels of cross-hatched and formai leaf decoration, applied foliate corner pieces and central bosses. Lower tier with applied corner pieces and central swags; dial bezel and shutter (rame with formai leaf trails. Sides with leaf sprays symmetrical around applied leaf bosses and flying birds. Columnar applied leaf decoration below archaic heads to the corner chamfers. Bell top with cross-hatch and feather decoration around central bosses rising to the finial. Corner finials to upper and lower stages. Rear door with sculpted grill with red-satin backing. D. White enamel with 5 minute divisions, Roman hour and Arabic minute ntimlerals; gold "spade and poker" bands, centre seconds. M. Gilt brass rectangular, three train, fusees with chair, dead-boat pin-wheel escapement with steel pallet-piece; adjustable spring suspension pendulum with brass-cased weight, rectangular section ebony rod and blocking system for transport. Back plate fully engraved with symmetrical flower and foliate decoration around the lower centre signature cartouche. Striking on bells. Music operation by pull cords at each sicle of the case which simultaneously activate the simple automaton scene of ships pitching and tossing on a sea simulated by rotating glass rods, revealed in the rectangular (rame below the dial. Signed on the back plate. In very good condition. Dim. 57 x 32 x 25 cm.