Swiss silver niëllo cylinder in the form of a lute Circa 1880

Silver and niëllo lute shaped watch
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A small Swiss cylinder watch in a rare silver niëllo case in the form of a lute, circa 1880. Key wound gilt bar movement with a suspended going barrel, plain cock with polished steel regulator, plain three armed gilt balance with blue steel spiral hairspring, polished steel cylinder and steel escape wheel. White enamel dial with Roman and Arabic numerals, gilt hands. Engine turned open faced case, a four leaf clover engraved on the back. Gilt metal cuvette. Maker’s mark R & Co. The watch sits in a compartment in the back of an unusual silver niëllo case in the form of a lute. The well made silver lute is decorated on the soundboard in black niëllo work, the dial visible through the glazed soundhole, the neck is similarly decorated to imitate the fingerboard above which are four gilt metal strings running through a silver bridge, fine teardrop shaped hinged bowl decorated in a fine checkerboard pattern of niello work housing the watch, the end of the neck is turned over to form a hook.

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Diameter: 36 x 115 mm
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Signed: No name