Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 15, 1994

LOT 477

Charles Abraham Bruguier, Geneva, circa 1825. Extremely fine and rare gilt bronze, silver and enamel singing bird cage.

CHF 60,000 - 70,000

C. Cylindrical form with eight Corinthian columns supporting the arched dome decorated below with an applied garland of painted enamel flowers, the cage work of pierced and chased floral and foliate design, with alternate silver garlands and opening doors to the front, the body with applied musical trophies and silver floral bouquets, acanthus mouldings, cast lion paws feet and bail finial with rope twist suspension ring. Large multicoloured feather bird with moving wings, tail, turning head and swivelling body. M. Brass plates, turned pillars, fusee with chain, circular bellow, eight lifting cams, the bird operating mechanism on the top plate. Signature on the movement. In very good condition. Dim. 30 x 13 cm.


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Notes

Although slightly different by its form, this cage is very similar to that sold by Antiquorum in Tokyo on 16 December 1990, No. 288 of the catalogue. Charles-Abraham Bruguier was born in Geneva in 1788. He spent the first years of his career working for other manufacturers making automatons, before returning to Geneva and establishing his own business. His workshops continued under the guidance of his two sons, followed by his grandson. Bruguier understood better than his predecessors ( Jaquet-Droz, Leschot and Les Frères Rochat) the secrets of successfully re-creating " bird-song", and he achieved considerable improvements in the design of the movements. His early works, of which this cage is an example, are considered as the finest "singing" mechanisms ever made in a small size. Bird cages of this period are very rare, with only six known to exist in gold cases and a similar number in gilt metal.