Bidspirit auction | Erotic Automatic Matchbox with Mechanical

Erotic Automatic Matchbox with Mechanical Miniature France, early 20th century - An exquisite automatic matchbox crafted in silver with gilding. The rectangular body, decorated with guilloché geometric engraving, conceals beneath its lid a miniature mechanical scene in the refined Belle Époque manner. When the lid is closed, the mechanism is automatically wound; when opened, it activates a relief composition of two figures in an intimate interior, partially gilt and silvered. The movement of the figures creates the illusion of a living tableau, typical of the “tableau mécanique” genre — a miniature theatre animated by a spring-driven mechanism. Produced in limited numbers, such objects were prized by collectors and gentlemen’s salons as examples of witty and elegant mechanical art. Dimensions: Height 6 cm; width 3 cm; depth 1.5 cm. Material: Silver, gilding, spring mechanical movement. Weight: 57 g. Condition: At the time of cataloguing, the mechanism is functional and winds automatically when the lid is closed. Some small decorative movable elements are missing. Minor patina and traces of age. Provenance: Private European collection. Condition : Slight wear marks, functionality has not been verified Style : Modern Country : France Period : At the turn of 19th -20th century Warranty : Seller Warranty Material : Silver, Silvering , Gold metal Product sizes : Height - 6cm, Width - 3cm, Depth - 1.5cm Location : Gallery ”Antiqon”, Brivibas street 52, Riga, Latvia