The Art of Horology in Geneva

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 13, 1999

LOT 81

FR (Rochat), Geneva, No. 292, circa 1810.Very fine and rare, 18K gold and enamel, pearl set small singing bird box.

CHF 150,000 - 180,000

Sold: CHF 135,500

C. Rectangular with rounded corners, scarlet enamelled lid, base and side panels, borders and corners with azure champlevé enamelled decoration, the singing bird aperture with split-pearl set bezel. Hinged back panel for the key compartment. The singing bird box cover enamelled with a very finely painted scene, depicting a maiden playing with a squirrel. Singing bird movement: Rectangular plates with turned pillars, fusee with chain, rectangular bellow, the bird with moving wings, tail, beak andturning head, controlled by a stack of 8 cams, gold engraved grill.Signed with the Rochat FR punch mark on the back plate.Dim. 72 x 49 x 24 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: * 3

Notes

Previously in the John Asprey Collection, this watch was part of the exhibition in New York, ASPREY, 725 Fifth Avenue: Magic, Musical and Motion, an exhibition of rare 18th and 19th century watches, boxes and automata, from the Asprey private collection, No. 33, p. 43 of the catalogue.