THE CHERRY PICKERS

• the body of flattened pear shape with double eagle top stoppers wearing pearl collars above translucent blue enamel plumage necks, the front set with an oval panel centered by a revolving polished steel balance wheel, the wheel now lacking, with seconds dial above hour, minute dial below, the reserves enameled in a feather motif and set with graduating split pearls, all above hinged cover enameled with a bouquet in a frame of chased gold paired cornucopiae and graduated pearls, when opened revealing a seven motion vari-color gold automaton comprising a shepherdess feeding a lamb, with moving arm and head, while a dog with moving head laps from the fountain, the water simulated via two twisting glass rods issuing from a turning wheel above, a sheep in the foreground lacking its head, the background with pastoral polychrome enamel painted scene, the reverse with a heart-form cartouche with richly polychrome enamel painted scene of a young boy and girl picking cherries, graduating pearl frame all below a nesting bird and above a pair of shells with  partly enameled flowers, the sides with enameled tubs of flowers, the interior panel engraved "Man Fed the Cattle London," further struck: 18 for 18 karat gold • the automaton movement with gilt kidney shaped plates, with five wheel train and fixed barrel

Gustav Loup, Geneva, 1928, from a photo supplied by Gustave Loup to Chapuis and Gélis and used in Le Monde des Automates, p. 60, fig. 202

King Farouk of Egypt (1936-1965) until 1952

Sotheby & Co., The Palace Collections of Egypt, Cairo, March 10^th- 17^th, 1954, lot 529

American Collection until present

Alfred Chapuis, Edouard Gélis, Le Monde des Automates, p. 60, fig. 339, 1928

Sotheby & Co., The Palace Collections of Egypt, Koubbeh Palace, Cairo March 10^th- 17^th, 1954, lot 529

Alfred Chapuis and Edmund Droz, Automata, p. 179, fig. 202, 1958

Wonderfully whimsical and high quality object apart from several condition issues noted here: Automaton – the sheep in the foreground lacking its head. The 1928 printing in in "Les Mondes Des Automates" also shows missing head, thus the loss predates 1928. Movement – automaton not working at time of cataloguing and will require a full overhaul, timepiece fully wound and will also require overhaul Enamel - main enamel scenes are in well preserved condition and highest quality, the reserve on the back right side with one small area of enamel loss to red enamel. Minor enamel losses on the band, losses to enamel throats of the eagle stoppers, dials with damage to enamel, hour hand lacking, minute hand possibly replaced, broken seconds hand, balance wheel lacking between the dials, crystal lacking over dials and likely accounts for their damage. "Les Monde des Automates" image is relatively low resolution; however one can see that the hands are the same since 1928 publication date.
"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 enamel of the children picking cherries would appear to be by the same hand as the children playing on a gold and enamel necessaire in the Patek Philippe Museum, illustrated in: Arnaud Tellier, The Mirror of Seduction, Exhibition Catalogue, Patek Philippe Museum, Geneva, 2012, pp. 70-71. Although not identical, the subject is reminiscent of John Russell’s portrait of a Girl Picking Cherries, completed in 1780.

 

FOR THE SCENE REFER TO AMPHORA 

For a note about  Piguet & Capt in this collection and other pieces by this maker see lots 105, 106, 112.

The engraving on the interior panel is possibly the title of an English tune of the period and a reference to the automata scene. 

The present lot was offered in the 1954 auction of former King Farouk's property as lot 529. A second, nearly identical piece was offered in the same sale, lot 530. The latter lot incorporated a slightly different enamel scene depicting a "half length portrait of a girl holding a dove to her bosom." see Sotheby & Co., The Palace Collections of Egypt, Koubbeh Palace, Cairo, March 10^th- 17^th, 1954, lots 529 and 530.

King Farouk, the last King of Egypt, known for his extravagance and lavish lifestyle, was overthrown on July 3, 1952. He was forced to abdicate, and fled Egypt three days later, living in exile first in Monaco and later Italy, until his death in 1965. Farouk left behind an extensive and important collection of works of art which the new Egyptian Government seized. Subsequently the government engaged Sotheby's to organise the sale of his collections.

The 1954 "Palace Collections of Egypt," a landmark auction sale was, at the time, considered the auction of the century. Farouk's collection spanned a wide range of collecting categories, from Fabergé and Objects of Vertu to Watches, Automata, Jewelry, Silver, Stamps, Coins, Paperweights and Gallé Glass. The Auction brochure advertised the sale, noting that: "The master craftsmen of all countries and periods are represented in the fabulous collection of small works of art in precious materials." Of the automata it was written, "Switzerland is the home of a whole series of exquisite musical automata."