Very Rare and Important Gold, Enamel and Split Pearl Perfume Sprinkler and Timepiece in the Form of a Miniature Flintlock Pistol Attributed to Moulinie, Bautte & Cie, Geneva, manufactured for the Chinese market. Circa 1805 Composed in an automated flintlock pistol form, applied by engine-turned and polished gold, the barrel surmounted by blue enamel with stylized gold vines and the butt and frame decorated by red enamel, set with scenes depicting a Medusa head framed by split pearls and scenes of a galloping horse and two lambs nestling. The textured gold trigger releases and exposes a lavender and white enamel lotus flower, which blooms from the barrel. The butt of the pistol secretly houses a push button activated spring mounted hatch which delights the user with a petite circular front key wind and set watch in a fitted compartment. The reverse hatch manually opens and reveals a full plate verge movement, pierced and engraved balance bridge, and plain three-arm balance. 4 1/4 x 2 1/2 inches. There are fewer than fifteen known examples of a pistol perfume sprinkler and watch. Similar pistols can be found in the Collection Hans Wilsdorf Montres Rolex, Geneva, p. 40. cat. no. 51; the Sir David Salomons Collection, Tel Aviv; and the M. and E.M. Sandoz Collection, Musee de l'Horlogerie et de l'Emaillerie, Geneva. Provenance: Alice Appleton Hay Adele Hay Fath Creekmore W. Fath Creekmore and Adele Fath Charitable Foundation
Firing mechanism, sprinkler and watch are currently working. The watch is slow. The folding mechanism to retract the flower can sometimes can caught. White dial has two small chips at center and at winding hole. Some enamel loss on three panels on barrel of pistol. Some enamel loss on lotus flower, mostly on tips of four petals. Small lead mark on gold panel depicting horse galloping horse. Two screws have been replaces. The original key is not included. Box has some small nicks and abrasions on shagreen. Inside has some staining and ink lettering. Overall good condition. 4 1/4 x 2 1/2 inches.
Very Rare and Important Gold, Enamel and Split Pearl Perfume Sprinkler and Timepiece in the Form of a Miniature Flintlock Pistol Attributed to Moulinie, Bautte & Cie, Geneva, manufactured for the Chinese market. Circa 1805 Composed in an automated flintlock pistol form, applied by engine-turned and polished gold, the barrel surmounted by blue enamel with stylized gold vines and the butt and frame decorated by red enamel, set with scenes depicting a Medusa head framed by split pearls and scenes of a galloping horse and two lambs nestling. The textured gold trigger releases and exposes a lavender and white enamel lotus flower, which blooms from the barrel. The butt of the pistol secretly houses a push button activated spring mounted hatch which delights the user with a petite circular front key wind and set watch in a fitted compartment. The reverse hatch manually opens and reveals a full plate verge movement, pierced and engraved balance bridge, and plain three-arm balance. 4 1/4 x 2 1/2 inches. There are fewer than fifteen known examples of a pistol perfume sprinkler and watch. Similar pistols can be found in the Collection Hans Wilsdorf Montres Rolex, Geneva, p. 40. cat. no. 51; the Sir David Salomons Collection, Tel Aviv; and the M. and E.M. Sandoz Collection, Musee de l'Horlogerie et de l'Emaillerie, Geneva. Provenance: Alice Appleton Hay Adele Hay Fath Creekmore W. Fath Creekmore and Adele Fath Charitable Foundation
Firing mechanism, sprinkler and watch are currently working. The watch is slow. The folding mechanism to retract the flower can sometimes can caught. White dial has two small chips at center and at winding hole. Some enamel loss on three panels on barrel of pistol. Some enamel loss on lotus flower, mostly on tips of four petals. Small lead mark on gold panel depicting horse galloping horse. Two screws have been replaces. The original key is not included. Box has some small nicks and abrasions on shagreen. Inside has some staining and ink lettering. Overall good condition. 4 1/4 x 2 1/2 inches.
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
