2,120,000 HKD
the empress josephine singing bird box by Les Freres Rochat Les Frères Rochat, No. 116. Made circa 1810. A magnificent and exceptionally rare, gold and mother-of-pearl table jewel box, with Singing Bird and musical movements. Accompanied by a fitted plush-lined, tooled and gilt fitted case, two keys and two reference books: Automata by Chapuis Droz, 1958 and Antique Automatons, A la Vieille Russie, Inc., loan exhibition, 1950. Rectangular jewel box with a gold framework (master mark JI) chased with leaf decoration, enclosing mother of pearl panels at the sides and base, the center containing the movements with concealed winding hole for the bird in the base and for the music at the front with a gold shutter, at each side a silk-lined compartment with hinged mother of pearl cover, six gold bun feet (one lacking), surmounted by a very fine octagonal filigree gold birdcage with foliate and pinecone finials, opening door to the front, mirrored base, two feeding bowls, one glazed and containing seed. Notes Provenance: By tradition, The Empress Josephine of France (1763-1814) Thence by descent. Mr & Mrs Louis von Cseh by 1950. A la Vieille Russie Inc., New York. Coll. Berry-Hill., New York. Exhibited: “Antique Automatons”, a loan exhibition, A la Vieille Russie, 785, Fifth Avenue, New York, November 3rd – December 5th, 1950. (Cat No. 87, lent by Mr & Mrs Louis von Cseh). Literature: Automata, Chapuis Droz, 1958, p.210 illustrates the same piece. "This magnificent object ty
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2010-10-09
