Beschreibung:

SWISS. AN IMPORTANT, GOLD, ENAMEL AND SEED PEARL TRYPTICH MUSICAL BOX WITH ACROBATIC AUTOMATON AND WATCH MARKED M, GENEVE, CIRCA 1800 The box of rectangular form, sides with blue and purple translucent enamel on guilloche background, royal and light blue pattern design enamelled borders, the base with purple and blue translucent enamel on guilloche ground, the central part with painted enamel scene depicting a gentleman courting a lady playing her lute, hinged and secretly opened by two concealed pushers in the back side panel, opening to reveal a secret compartment, (probably containing an enamelled erotic automaton scene, now lacking), the cover divided into three parts, the left hinged lid with pearl set columns, raised herms, centered by an enamelled painted floral scene on translucnt enamel background, opening to reveal a watch, white enamel dial with Roman numerals, rectangular gilt movement with verge escapement, with painted enamel scene of a river landscape, the right hinged lid of similar decoration opening to reveal a raised gilt automaton scene on painted enamel background, the automaton comprising a lady raising and lowering her arm apparently playing an instrument, a seated child raising his arm to play a drum and a second child perform jumps and leaps,similar to that of an acrobat, the central hinged lid with seed pearl set columns and borders, raised gilt and blue enamel drapes, the central painted enamel scene of a winged angel playing her lyre, opening to reveal a compartment, with spring barrel movement playing on steel tuned teeth, music activated by a slide in the side panel, case marked 96 mm. wide