P. Jaquet-Droz à La Chaux-de-Fonds and Paris, the cabinet by Antoine Foulet, circa 1760. "Le Renard et la Cigogne". Highly important and fine, "verni Martin" and gilt bronze, eight day going, hour and hall hour striking musical cartel with singing bird, on its "cul de lampe" ( bracket). | Important Collectors Wristwatches Pocket Watches & Clocks | Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, 22nd April 1995

Important Collectors Wristwatches Po...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 22, 1995

LOT 161

P. Jaquet-Droz à La Chaux-de-Fonds and Paris, the cabinet by Antoine Foulet, circa 1760. "Le Renard et la Cigogne". Highly important and fine, "verni Martin" and gilt bronze, eight day going, hour and hall hour striking musical cartel with singing bird, on its "cul de lampe" ( bracket).

CHF 180,000 - 220,000

USD 150,000 - 180,000

Sold: CHF 204,250

C. Shaped, in "vernis Martin", entirely decorated, including the bracket with roses and summer flowers over a green ground. Gilt bronze applied foliage and rocaille decoration, the front door with the Fox and the Stork, after the fable by Jean de La Fontaine : Le Renard et la Cigogne., the singing bird on a rocaille ornament above the dial. D. Gilt bronze with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minutes on enamelcartouches. Blued steel pierced Louis XV hands. M. Brass rectangular with going barrels for both the going and the striking train, verge escapement, plain pendulum with silk suspension. Striking train with Neuchâtelloise type striking work on the back plate. Eight tune musical train, fusee with chain, fly regulator, pincylinder with 9 bells and 17 hammers. The carillon plays two minutes before the hour striking time with optional levers to lock the music and for selection of the tunes. Brass rectangular singing bird mechanism with single fusee for two barrels and two chains, the four movements of the bird are controlled by two cams. The bird is singing at 8 am, 8 pm and noon, but does not sing at midnight, it may also sings at will. Signed on the back plate and on the dial. In very good condition, singing bird mechanism restored. Dim. 166 x 58 x 29 including the bracket.

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Notes

Two other cartels of this type are known to exist, one in the Musée International d'Horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the other one in the Royal Museum of Madrid but these two dock are without bracket. Antoine Foulet (1710-1775), Master on the 24 September 1749 was among the most eminent Louis XV cabinet makers for both mantel and long case docks. The bronze mountings used to be cast by Caron père or in the workshop of Veuve Heban, were chased by Boullanger. In the inventory made after his death on the 30 September 1775, it can be read : Un modèle de boéte à renard et cigogne pour cadran de 12 pouces (31 cm.), prisé 36 Livres.