Collector's Pocket Watches, Wristwatc...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Apr 12, 2003

LOT 471

Frères Rochat, Geneva, No. 456, made for the Chinese market circa 1820.Very fine and rare, 18K varicolored gold and enamel singing bird box in original Morocco fitted box.

C. Three-body, rectangular with rounded corners, the top with applied varicolored floral and foliate patterns with two butterflies and four Cornucopias with flowers, the spring-loaded bird cover finely painted on enamel with bouquet of flowers, engine turned side panels with edges of applied green gold laurel leaf pattern, back panel hinged to reveal key compartment, slide in the front to activate raising of the bird, which rotates, turns its head, opens its beak, flaps its wings and moves itsail. The bird is facing the inside of the medallion which is mirror polished and concave, enlarging the bird in its reflection, gold engraved grill.Singing bird movement. 74x41mm, rectangular brass, fusee and chain, eight cams and a whistle with sliding piston for the song's modulation. The cams rotate four times per song and lift one step every rotation, allowing a long duration of singing. Cam-controlled raising of the bird medallion and the bird, with five-wheel train finished by a pinion in eccentric bushing to regulate the speed of the opening and closing. The complicated mechanism allows for precision control of the raising of the birand medallion, and its speed. Stamped "FR" in an oval on the back of the bird mechanism. Dim. 78x52mm.