A small but unique collection of 17th- to 19th-century pocket watches from the estate of Atlanta art patron George E. Missbach is drawing much attention to a New York auction, which takes place on January 17.

"Some of the watches that may appeal to collectors include lot 254, a handsome silver and tortoiseshell pair case pocket watch with sun and moon dial, circa 1700; lot 266, two pocket watches, a unique silver gilt pocket watch with three dials, circa 1860-1880, and a gilt and white enamel pocket watch with painted scene, circa 1880; and lot 268 consisting of two engraved silver pocket watches, the first a silver and engraved brass pair case pocket watch, early 18th century, and a silver quadruple case pocket watch with inner tortoiseshell case, circa 1820," said Leigh Keno, president of the auction house.

The unique silver gilt pocket watch

The pocket watches are grouped in lots 253-268. Of the glassware, grouped in lots 164-174, much of the presale attention has been on the flasks.

A Colombia blown flask in clear with blue tint cornflower, 7 inches high by 4 inches wide, has 13 six-pointed stars in a semicircle above the bust on one side and a large American Eagle on the reverse. This rare flask from a Rhode Island family home has a $5,000-$10,000 estimate.

Clear glass blown flask bottle showing an American Eagle

Colourful pieces include a pair of canary dolphin candlesticks (lot 167) made by the Boston and Sandwich Glass Co., 1845-1865 (est. $1,000-$1,500), and a Sandwich Star-pattern spoon holder/spill, which are paired with a covered sugar bowl in the Gothic Arch pattern, both blue, (est. $1,200-$1,800).