Pair-case automaton watch

Entrepreneur James Cox British
 Case maker: Peter Mounier

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 pavé-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” may have found their way into European possession by happenstance.

Pair-case automaton watch, James Cox (British, ca. 1723–1800), 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, British, London

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Pair-case automaton watch, James Cox (British, ca. 1723–1800), 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, British, London
Pair-case automaton watch, James Cox (British, ca. 1723–1800), 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, British, London
Pair-case automaton watch, James Cox (British, ca. 1723–1800), 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, British, London

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