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Pair-case automaton watch

Entrepreneur James Cox British
Case maker: Peter Mounier
ca. 1770
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 512
When activated, the eight rosettes, or stars, spin within the rotating frame on the dial of this watch, which is closely set with paste jewels. A number of these automata survive; they were incorporated into objects probably intended for export to both China and India, but they may also have been made for English patrons. A large number of items intended for export were included in Cox's lottery of 1773, and more were auctioned in London after he declared bankruptcy in 1778, so some of these amusing "toys" probably found their way into European possession by happenstance. The movement has a verge escapement with a diamond end-stone and is numbered 1393.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Pair-case automaton watch
  • Entrepreneur: James Cox (British, ca. 1723–1800)
  • Maker: Case maker: Peter Mounier (recorded 1761–73)
  • Date: ca. 1770
  • Culture: British, London
  • Medium: Outer case: gold, partly enameled and set with gemstones and paste jewels; Inner case: gold; Dial: white enamel, with frame set with paste jewels; Movement: with diamond endstone
  • Dimensions: Overall (with bail, confirmed): 2 1/2 × 1 3/4 × 15/16 in. (6.4 × 4.4 × 2.3 cm);
    Overall (outer case, confirmed): 3/4 × 2 1/16 × 2 1/16 in. (1.9 × 5.2 × 5.2 cm)
  • Classification: Horology
  • Credit Line: Gift of Audrey Love, in memory of C. Ruxton Love Jr., 1977
  • Object Number: 1977.436.4a, b
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Nécessaire, James Cox British, Case: moss agate, mounted in gold and set with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds; silver; Dial: white enamel, with frame pavé-set with paste jewels, British, London
Nécessaire
James Cox
ca. 1770–72
Miniature secretary incorporating a watch, James Cox British, Case: agate, with gold mounts, gilded brass, pearls, and paste jewels set in silver; Dial: white enamel; Movement: wheel balance and cock set with paste jewels, British, London
Miniature secretary incorporating a watch
James Cox
ca. 1766–72
Automaton in the form of a chariot pushed by a Chinese attendant and set with a clock, James Cox British, Case: gold with diamonds and paste jewels set in silver, pearls; Dial: white enamel; Movement: partly gilded brass and steel, wheel balance and cock of silver set with paste jewels, British, London
Automaton in the form of a chariot pushed by a Chinese attendant and set with a clock
James Cox
1766
Jewel cabinet with watch, James Cox British, Case: agate, mounted in gilded copper and gilded brass and set with painted enamel on copper plaques, and fruitwood; Dial: white enamel, British, London
Jewel cabinet with watch
Multiple artists/makers
probably ca. 1765–70
Traveling clock watch with alarm, Thomas Tompion British, Case and dial: silver; Movement: gilded brass, partly blued steel, silver, British, London
Traveling clock watch with alarm
Thomas Tompion
Nathanial Delander I
ca. 1680

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