BLIND MAN'S BLUFF

• rectangular, the top centered by a panel enameled in rich colors with a youth teasing a blindfolded girl, split pearl borders above a chased gold winged putto head flanked by swags and further set with pearls opening to the snuff compartment • the upper arch hinged cover applied with a figure of a chased gold cupid in a shell within a pearl-set arch flanked by polychrome enamel butterflies, the whole against a translucent blue enamel background above engine turning, opening to reveal a chased vari-color gold automaton scene of two children and a washer-woman at a fountain, one child pumps the fountain with spiral glass rod, while the other drinks, the woman with raising arm, polychrome enamel painted landscape background, a doll and a hen in the foreground • rectangular five wheel train with free standing barrel • sides and base with translucent blue enamel over engine-turning, bordered by white enamel lines and rows of shells spaced with lozenges, the case stamped M Crowned 

 



 

Berry Hill, New York

The Maurice Sandoz Collection ref. 1942/57, 19a

American Collection until present 

New York, A la Vieille Russie, Antique Automatons, 1950, no. 140, lent by Dr. Maurice Y. Sandoz

Antique Automatons exhibition catalogue, no. 140, 1950

Montres et Bijoux, Geneva, 1952, no. 213

Horloges et Automates, Musée du Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, Paris, 1954, no. 46

Alfred Chapuis, Edmund Droz, Automata, 1958, p. 179, figs. 200-201

Bernard Pin, Watches & Automata, The Maurice Sandoz Collection, vol. III, p. 181, 2012 

Automaton - The automaton not currently working and will require a complete restoration. Washer woman arm replaced and the drinking boy's arm also replaced. Enamel scene to background of automata - in good condition although minor losses to enamel on bottom edge and right edge. Case - Central scene enamel panel with insignificant shallow chips at top right and left corners, some chips below the winged putto head below the central scene, the lid covering the automaton has minor loss to the butterfly on the left, possible restoration to black opaque reserves surrounding the butterflies. The Base - enamel panel restored in soft enamel, further with pitting to the surface of the glaze (fondant) with one small area that appears to be bubbling. Side panels - some minor enamel losses to the corners on the left side to the corners. The right side main panel restored with soft enamel, small area of losses to corner. Top side panel - some very minor chipping to enamel decoration at corners Bottom side panel - minor chipping to corner decoration.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

The subject is taken from a circa 1755 painting Le Colin Maillard (Blind Man’s Buff) by Jean-Honoré Fragonard, engraved by Jacques-Firmin Beauvarlet among others. It was unusual at this time for Geneva artists to copy French painters.

The Geneva maker’s mark M crowned has not so far been identified. It has not been recorded frequently but occasionally appears on good quality gold and enamel snuff boxes and automata. The mark also appears on a three compartment automaton box, see: Sotheby’s Geneva, 13 November 1986, lot 298, illustrated Alfred Chapuis & Edouard Gélis, Le Monde des Automates. Paris, 1928, vol. II, pp. 53-54 and on a singing bird box with movement signed: Jt Droz & Léschot à Genève Sotheby’s Paris, 15 April 2010, lot 61.

The automaton is probably by Piguet & Capt. Isaac Daniel Piguet (1775 – 1841) and Henri Capt (1773 – 1837?) were partners from 1802 to 1811 in the firm bearing their name, Piguet & Capt. The duo are considered amongst the most important makers of small automata at the end of the 18^th and beginning of the 19^th centuries.  Examples of their craftsmanship are exhibited in the world's foremost collections, such as the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva.