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Snuffbox/Automaton/Watch
James Cox
English, 1766-1772
Enamel, Gold, Hardstone, Glass, Oil Paint
This and all related images courtesy of:
The Victoria & Albert Museum |
This peculiar item was made by one James Cox who is the best known of the London toymakers. In addition to his range of automata, Cox was also celebrated for his curiosities in precious metals and jewels which also featured his intricate clockworks. According to the V&A, Cox’s tradecard stated that he made, “a great variety of curious work in gold, silver, and other metals also in amber, pearl, tortoiseshell and curious stones.” In 1772, James Cox opened a museum in the City of Westminster to display some of his automata and other curiosities.
Made by Cox between 1766 and 1772, this eleborate snuffbox has been set in the front with a watch and other mechanisms. The rectangular box with gold-mounted hardstone is more tham meets the eye, however. The cover, three walls and base are set with panels of moss agate which is mounted in scroll-chased gold. The front features a bevelled glass panel with a white enamel watch dial.
The back panel reveals some of the box’s hidden secrets. It opens to reveal a landscape painted in oils with two openings through which are visible--when rotated by an inset clockwork mechanism--a man on a donkey, a lady in an interior, a bird in a tree and a hen.
The whole of the box features rims which are is chased with foliage and adorned guilloche.
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