Collector's Pocket Watches, Wristwatc...

New York, Grand Havana Room, Dec 06, 2000

LOT 191

F. Rochat à Genève, No. 543, circa 1850.Very fine and rare, gilt silver and enamel, singing bird box.

USD 5,700 - 6,300

C. Rectangular with canted corners, top with four enamelled cartouches depicting flowers against dark blue translucent enamel over engine turning, divided by champlevé azure enamel, floral and geometrical engraving, side panels, borders and corners with floral and geometrical engravings over engine turning, the bottom panel with fine floral decoration over en suite engine turning. Hinged back panel for the key compartment. A singing bird box cover enamelled with finely painted flowers. M. Singinbird movement: Rectangular plates with turned pillars, fusee and chain, rectangular zephyr skin whistle bellows, a bird with moving wings, tail, beak and turning head, bellows, whistle and the bird controlled by a stack of 8 cams rising four steps, which assure a long duration of play, gilt engraved grill.Stamped 'F ROCHAT A GENEVE' on the back plate with Rochat's marks on both plates, numbered on the back plate.Dim. 96 x 61 x 30 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 4, 8
Movement: 4*

Fair

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Notes

Most probably Frédéric Rochat (1774-1848), son of David Rochat (1746-1812), who was a Master watchmaker from Le Brassus in the Vallée de Joux. David Rochat and sons worked for Jaquet-Droz and Leschot, providing ebauches of singing bird mechanisms at the end of the 18th century. In the early 19th century the Rochat brothers moved to Geneva and went into business on their own, soon splitting up into two groups. François remained on his own (later aided by his son, Ami Napoléon), and Frédéric and Smuel worked together, (with Frédéric's sons, Antoine and Louis). There is some evidence that Bruguier used Rochat movements in his bird boxes.