18,400 CHF
Charles Bruguier, rue des Paquis No. 5 a Geneve, No. 385, watch movement by Huguenin & Berney a Geneve, circa 1840. Very fine silver gilt and enamel, singing bird box with built-in watch, in original fitted box. Two part with lobed corners, entirely engraved with flowers over an engine-turned ground, the cover enamelled with painted bunches of flowers against a blue ground. Compartment on the front panel for the watch with hinged cover. The lid enamelled with a finely painted view of a park, a couple of swans in a pound on the foreground, a bunch of flowers on the enamel backing. Pierced and engraved gilt-brass grid. Multicolour feathered bird with moving body, wings, tail, opening beak and turning head. White enamel with Roman numerals. Blued-steel Breguet hands. Notes Charles Abraham Bruguier Charles-Abraham Bruguier, was born in Geneva in 1788. Ile 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 ss'hich 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, Read more…
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1998-04-18
