86,250 CHF
Made by Jacquet Droz, Swiss, circa i780. Fine and rare full-size gilt-metal singing bird clock. Octagonal gilt bronze, with applied fluted pilasters to the apex of each angle, with turned columns above terminating in flambeau urn finials; side panels decorated with blue paint with applied giIt-bronze mounts of alternate coats-of-arms and foliage enhanced roundels depicting the four Elements, the flat section side panels pierced and engraved with oval trellis-work and ribbon foliage. Wirework above and ring suspension. Bombé white enamel, mounted below, with Roman hour and Arabic five minute numerals. Engraved and giIt Louis XV hands with blued-steel centre-seconds. Mounted in the base below a silk-covered brass fret-work panel,. the clock movement with balance-wheel verge escapement, the bird-song train with fusee and chain, rectangular section bellows and pin-drum for the 10 tin pipes, playing 7 different tunes, released every half-hour by the clock if required, or at-will by a pull-cord. Bird decorated with feathers of a purple hue, with moving body, head, beak, wings and tait. In good condition. Dims. 450 x 270 mm. Notes Although very rare, examples of the full size bird-cage by Jaquet-Droz & Leschot are illustrated in all the major works on automata. Examples are also to be found in the Peking Palace Collection and the Topkapi Museum, Istanbul. The bird mechanism is in fact a form of serinette.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1992-10-17
