Musical fob seal with automaton
Musical fob seal with automaton
Switzerland
Circa 1825
Gold, steel, brass, decorative stones; mechanical work, chasing, soldering, gilding
4.3 x 2.8 x 2.2 cm
Golden fob is in the form of oval case contains miniature musical movement with automaton; a grip in the form of volumetric hollow ring is soldered on its top. The case convex upper side is smooth and polished. Side surface is formed by alternating smooth and corrugated strips. The hinged polished lid closes the bottom side, automaton is mounted behind it. The grip is a hollow ring soldered from two halves, decorated with floral pattern made in the technique of colored champlevé enamel on smooth field.
The external surface is smooth and polished. A
rod with crank at the end passes through the grip and serves to wind the
musical movement and automaton. The crank is in the form of short tube with two torques cabochons in bezel
setting, wrapped in three loops of polished spiral. Bushing decorated with four thin gilded settings
with green gems stones and two rosettes with colourless stones is slipped on the
rod inside the ring. Miniature musical movement with spring engine is comprised
of pinned cylinder and sound comb. The lever on the case side surface activates the movement.
Инв.4275/ДПИ