Lot 538

Leopold Köstler in Gratz No. 561, 51 mm, 67 g, circa 1800
A half pearl set pocket watch with skeletonized movement in the form of a vase. We know of only nine other timepieces of this kind.
Case: brass, gilt, glazed on both sides, half pearls. Dial: eccentric white enamel dial. Movm.: full-plate movement in the shape of a vase fully decorated on both sides with engraved foliate pattern, keywind, chain/fusee, verge escapement, three-arm ring balance.
Futher watches of this kind are in the possession of important museums and collections:
1. The Württembergisches Landesmuseum in Stuttgart
2. The Musée Historique de Bâle in Basel (with a later dial)
3. The Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva (formerly in the Collection Marcel van Cauwenbergh, sold by Antiquorum in Hong Kong on March 30, 1989 for EUR 25,197)
4. The Time Museum in Rockford, Illinois, USA had a very similar piece (sold by Sotheby's in New York on June 19, 2002 for USD 16,730, lot 51)
5. Dr. Crott Auctioneers, lot 645 of our 78th auction, November 2008
6. Dr. Crott Auctioneers, lot 171 of our 91st auction, May 2015
7. The Musée d'Art et d'Histoire in Geneva also owned an example but it was stolen on November 24, 2002.
8. Important German private collection
9. Dr. Crott Auctioneers, lot 121 of our 96th auction, November 2017

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