Dear John,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry. I will do my best to assist you with this appraisal. thank you for all the images.
TITLE:
Gold ornamental (non- functional) Fob Seal for watch chain adn/or fob pocket display, containing an Erotic musical automaton, made in Switzerland, for use on the Continent, circa1820-1840.
DESRIPTION:
Measuring approximately 42mm x 28mm x 20mm this is a solid gold Fob Seal with small circular ring to attach to a pocket watch chain adn function to wind the musical component. The larger gold ring, engraved with laurel leaves, has a stem connecting to the vasiform gold fluted post, the stem extending up into the small ringlet. Below the ring is a triple tiered gold hinged case which when opened reveals an octagonal shaped casing, primarily with red and green paints and a gold engine-turned box with an erotic automaton scene, sometimes executed in multi-colored gold (although I cannot be sure that is what is seen here). However, the erotic scene is done in solid gold of a gentleman leaning suggestively above a lady who is reclining on a chaise lounge, her skirt elevated beyond what one normally expects, with bed type drapery in red and yellow above the couple and an enameled background with a piece of furniture. The musical mechanism and automaton are operated by pushing or twisting of the stem of the central fluted vasiform pendant. Condition of the piece is excellent. I contains no exotic gemstones or elaborate carving of the gold, but the painted and gilded erotic scene is in very good condition and I am assuming all functions are operating.
HISTORICAL:
An important accessory to the seventeenth- and eighteenth-century man, a watch fob and seal was an object directly attached to the chain of one’s pocket watch. A watch chain was used to suspend one’s watch from the waistcoat’s “fob pocket,” from which also hung the watch fob, usually with an attached seal at the bottom end of the fob. Fobs were often cone-like in form, attached to the watch chain with a metal loop at the narrow end of the fob. The seal was on the wide, circular end of the fob. In turn, fobs could also be purely decorative, without a seal (such as this example). During the Medieval and Renaissance periods, seals were necessary for any valid business transaction, and since ancient times were generally worn on someone’s person in the form of a ring. In the 18th century signet rings performed a similar function. signet rings fell out of fashion in the late seventeenth century due to the rise of the pocket watch and chain. Also, during this time period, the seal became less of a necessary tool and more of a decoration, yet still a useful decoration. Men were likely to carry bunches of “seals, keys, and trinkets from their watch chains.” Watch fob seals could be worn by either men or women; however, toward the end of the eighteenth century they became to be more associated with masculine dress.
I have looked at a number of these erotic and ornamental watch fob seals and have concluded that the value today, considering the elevation of the price of gold (Circa 2011) NOT to be a big factor in such a small object, but the unique quality of the piece, the condition of the automaton and the rarity of the object, despite not having fancy carving or precious gemstones, would tend to retain its value over these past two decades.
An ornate example sold at Sotheby’s in 2014:
https://www.barnebys.com/realizedprices/lot/1681723/a-vari-coloured-gold-and-enamel-musical-fob-seal-with-concealed-erotic/ (sold for $26,400)
I(n 2012 is again a slightly more eornate example, much more similar to yours which sold for 12500 GBP (today about $16500, perhaps a bit more in 2012)
An example with a later re painted scene sold for as much as $6000 at Sotheby’s.
My conclusion is that the fair market value would, in today’s market, range from $17500-$20000.
I hope you continue to enjoy this superb little piece of history. I am sure it will only grow in value.
Thank you again for using the mearto service. I hope I have been of some assistance to you.
My best,
David