Fine Musical and Automata Vertu
An erotic musical snuff box with automaton,
late 19th Century,
The two-air cylinder movement with 16-part sectional comb of teeth in groups of four, plain brass bedplate stamped IL.C, automaton cam with great wheel, in dark plain tortoiseshell case with oval enamel plaque of flowers on rose-pink ground on the lid, gold lid push and start/stop buttons to front, engraved underside lid with push-button opening to reveal impressed gilt-metal and coloured detail scene of a classical garden, with two lovers on a nest of flowers making love, automaton action to man's hips, knees and shoulder, key-wind spindle for movement protruding top-right corner 3.5/8in. (9.2cm) wide, the cylinder 2.1/2in. (6.4cm)
The two-air cylinder movement with 16-part sectional comb of teeth in groups of four, plain brass bedplate stamped IL.C, automaton cam with great wheel, in dark plain tortoiseshell case with oval enamel plaque of flowers on rose-pink ground on the lid, gold lid push and start/stop buttons to front, engraved underside lid with push-button opening to reveal impressed gilt-metal and coloured detail scene of a classical garden, with two lovers on a nest of flowers making love, automaton action to man's hips, knees and shoulder, key-wind spindle for movement protruding top-right corner 3.5/8in. (9.2cm) wide, the cylinder 2.1/2in. (6.4cm)
Sold for
£6,600
inc. premium
Footnotes
- On closer inspection, a little dog can be seen pleasuring itself in the foreground and tucked behind the classical fountain to left-centre, Cupid can be seen peeking around the corner with a red ribbon bow tied to the arrow he is holding.
Category: Collectibles / Toys and Dolls
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