THE TAVERN COURTYARD

• rectangular with chamfered corners, decorated with translucent blue enamel over a lattice engine-turned ground, the rim of the cover chased with half flowers alternating with leaf tips in white, black and blue enamel ground, the angles enameled with cinquefoils, the top cover opening to reveal an elaborate chased vari-color gold with and enamel automaton with eleven motions • the automaton: comprised of a procession featuring a mounted huntsman with horn, a horse pulling a wagon, a goat trailed by his herdsman, against a finely enameled landscape with shepherdess and buildings, all framed by a chased farmyard scene with the following further automata figures: a hostess sounding a bell on a terrace of an inn, the sign above reading bon loge; a farm boy feeding a saddled horse with nodding head; a peg-legged beggar seated on the ground eating from a bowl, his hand raising his spoon; a workman repairing the roof of a wagon with a hammer, the foreground chased with a dog and chickens, at the right a youth ascending a staircase to an enameled interior to a party with soldiers and courtesans attended by a liveried servant, the base with snuff compartment and hinged cover • the automaton work with pinned barrel and five wheel train and bell • the maker's mark stamped inside snuff compartment and on both covers, GGB below a crown• the top cover enamel restored

Sir David Salomons Collection

Prominent American Family until Present

Alfred Chapuis and Edouard Gélis, Le Monde des Automates. p.64, fig. 346, Paris, 1928

The Automaton featured is rare in its great complexity with its 11 separate mions, very few examples with such multiple moving figures exist in either public or private collections. Otherwise several important condition comments should be noted: The box - top lid either restored or possibly replaced, the side panels with the following enamel issues left side panel with minor damage very edge near corner. Back side panel - two areas of enamel damage. Right side panel - approximately three areas of damage. The base - enamel good with some scratching but no damage. The interior enamel scene - largely in good order, however with chips to the enamel to the winding arbor as well as restoration in the same area, all the automata functioning except the figure in the upper left whose arm is not moving to sound the bell and at the upper right the figure climbing the stairs appears to be somewhat detached and its automaton chain a bit loose.
"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."

For what appears to be an identical automata scene, see Alfred Chapuis and Edouard Gélis, Le Monde des Automates. Paris, p.64, fig. 346, Tome II, 1928; for a discussion and illustrations of boxes including multi-figure automata scenes see: Ibid pp. 63-65, figs. 345-347.

The formal closure of the Geneva firm of Guidon, Rémond, Gide & Co. on 1 January 1801 was followed by a division of the partners who, on the same day, opened on the one hand, Rémond, Lamy & Co. and on the other, Guidon Gide & Blondel fils. It is evident that the split was not an easy one as their client J.F. Leschot, writes to David Duval in London on 2 February 1801 to apologise for the delay in sending him both the promised temples to go to China and to explain: ‘these wretched bijoutiers set me back by 6 weeks claiming that the liquidation of their company was causing them big problems and has delayed the prompt execution of my pieces even though not a day goes by without my chasing them vigorously.' (Bibliothèque publique et universitaire, Geneva, ms. suppl. 964, f. 166).

Joseph Guidon (1743-1807), David Gide (1782-1833) and Denis Blondel (sometimes called Blondet, 1778-1862) remained together until mid-1804 when they appear to have gone their separate ways. In 1811, Blondel was also to become associated with Jean-George Rémond with the formation of Rémond, Lamy, Mercier & Co.

The marks of the two partnerships are to be found on the best Geneva gold and enamel snuff boxes of the period. Stylistically the boxes are very similar since it is to be assumed that many of the same workmen were employed in their manufacture. Leschot’s accounts show that he continued to patronise both firms. The complexity of the mechanism of the present box is equalled by the complexity and precision required by the goldsmiths and enamellers who were obliged to make the moving parts to the exact specifications of the mechanics, not an easy task when the minutest difference in weight could impair the movement. Such an attention to detail would have been taken for granted by watchmakers and the mechanics who made the movements for the automata, but is not usually required by goldsmiths or enamelers.