Jewel cabinet with watch

James Cox|Antoine Watteau|François Boucher

probably ca. 1765–70 · Case: agate, mounted in gilded copper and gilded brass and set with painted enamel on copper plaques, and fruitwood; Dial: white enamel · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

This cabinet bears the signature of the London jeweler and entrepreneur James Cox. On its doors are enameled personifications of Winter and Summer after compositions of the Four Seasons by the British painter Robert Pyle (act. 1761–66). Additional scenes are based on engravings after François Boucher (1703–1770) and Jean-Antoine Watteau (1670–1733). With characteristic inventiveness, Cox included a hidden drawer above the more obvious drawers inside; a jeweled button on the back of the cabinet opens the secret drawer.

Artist

James Cox|Antoine Watteau|François Boucher

Date

probably ca. 1765–70

Medium

Case: agate, mounted in gilded copper and gilded brass and set with painted enamel on copper plaques, and fruitwood; Dial: white enamel

Culture

British, London

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of Irwin Untermyer, 1964