Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 24, 1999

LOT 172

Attributable to the workshop of Jacques Bruguier, Geneve, No. 5 -V, circa 1850. Very fine tortoiseshell, enamel and 18K gold, singing bird box.

CHF 15,000 - 18,000

C. Two part, entirely made of tortoiseshell, gold inlaid lines and gold engraved singing bird border, hinged back panel for the key compartment. The gold singing bird lid enamelled with a fine painted Swiss landscape, snowcapped mountains on the background. Singing bird movement: rectangular plates with turned pillars, fusee with chain, rectangular bellow, the bird with moving wings, tail, beak and turning head controlled by a stack of 8 cams, gilt brass engraved grill. The serial number scratched inside the tortoiseshell case. Dim. 94 x 63 x 28 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 4-22

Fair

Later original
Movement: 4

Fair

Notes

Although it is not signed, this singing bird box is very similar to that signed Jacques Bruguier, Cendrier 14, Geneve, No. XXXXI, sold by Antiquorum in Hong Kong on June 10, 1997, lot No. 110, The meaning of the No. "5-V", scratched inside the case could be "55". This singing bird box, then would be the following one, in the same series. Jacques Bruguier Son of the celebrated singing bird box maker Charles Abraham Bruguier. He also worked in Geneva, first at 6, rue Bonivard and later at 14, rue du Cendrier just before taking over his father's workshop and succeeding him after his death in 1862.