Important Jewelry, Watches and Wristw...

Hong Kong, Furama Hotel, Jun 07, 1999

LOT 575

Charles Abraham Bruguier, Geneva, circa 1830. Extremely fine and rare gilt-bronze, silver and enamel singing bird cage.

HKD 550,000 - 700,000

USD 80,000 - 100,000

Sold: HKD 790,000

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 paw feet and ball finial with rope twist suspension ring. Large multicolour feathered 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. Bruguier trademark punched on the movement. Dim. 30 x 13 cm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: *3

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Notes

Although of slightly different form, this cage is very similar to that sold by Antiquorum in Tokyo on December 16, 1990, lot 288. Charles Abraham Bruguier Charles-Abraham Bruguier, was born in Geneva in 1788. He spent the first years of his career working for other manufacturers making automata, 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 Freres Rochat) the secrets of successfully recreating "bird-song", and he achieved considerable i mprovements 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.