消防隊

• 長方形盒配斜邊角，上釉揭蓋連鑲珍珠邊 • 活動人偶備12款動作，包括右方女子泵取泉水至中央的消防車，消防車由2男子操作，兩人揮動手臂，泵水射向上方火燒的屋簷，螺旋形玻璃棒模仿水流；左方有士兵站崗，前景飾獵犬、土地及翻倒的桌子 • 背景飾豐富多彩琺瑯，包括湖畔村莊的火燒房子，前景人物攜水桶，少年攀梯拯救少女，開窗可見6個人物，包括一對母子，全置於火焰之下，閃爍火焰以紅色金屬輪模仿，背面槓杆啟動活動人偶 • 底座繪傳統風景，包括湖畔的牧羊女及其他人物，遠方船隻及城鎮，右方繪修道院及小瀑布，半透明黄褐色夕陽天空，側面繪相配風景，側邊飾鑲嵌琺瑯甕、鳥類及枝葉圖案，邊印有18k金1798 -1809年法國標準印章，男子頭部印有編號（應為63），另印有2個鷹頭標誌，機芯底部刻有「Reparé par Charles Bruguier Janvier 1847」

* 拍品資料以英文圖錄為準。

The collection of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew P. McCullough
Prominent American Family until present

New York, A La Vieille Russie, Antique Automatons, 1950, no. 66

Roy Mosoriak, The Curious History of Music boxes, Chicago 1943, pp. 90-91, plate 17, two views
Catalogue of the Exhibition Antique Automatons, A La Vieille Russie 1950, Cat. no. 66

The top panel with damage around winding hole and loose glazed hinged cover, part of a glass rod missing, damage to flames and cracks to the enamel building, base good, three of the side scenes with chips at edges, and old restoration, with associated box Motions: 1. lady hand and arm pull the handle 2. handle to the fountain pumping water 3. the water spewing from top of fountain down into basin, 4. water going through glass rod hose between the fountain and fire pump truck 5 and 6 man at right using two hands both pumping central pump handle 7. pump handle 8 and 9. man at left using two hands both pumping 10. glass rod hose shooting water to burning building 11. simulating flames 12. procession of six people in the building fleeing the fire: i. man with a pail of water ii. lady carrying a basket on her head iii. lady runing with hands outstretched in fron iv. Man with arms open wide v. lady with a baby
"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."

This elaborate automaton scene with 12 motions relates to the "Tavern Courtyard Box" sold Swiss Mechanical Marvels, part I, Sotheby's New York, June 2015, lot 110.

For a discussion and illustrations of boxes including multi-figure automaton scenes, including the "Tavern Courtyard Box," see Alfred Chapuis and Edouard Gélis, Le Monde des Automates, 1928, chapter 17, pp. 63-65, figs. 345-347. Two pieces are in the Sir David Salomons Collection at the L.A. Mayer Museum for Islamic Art, Jerusalem.

The Charles Bruguier repair signature on the automaton plate is likely either Charles Abraham Bruguier (1788-1862), or his son of the same name. The Bruguier family was famous Geneva makers of musical and singing bird boxes and were also known to have worked on automaton boxes.

For a note on Piguet & Capt, see lot 83.