Lot 1216
1216
Prospective purchasers are advised that several co… Read more LA MAISON D'HORTENSE
**A GOLD AND MULTI-GEM BIRDCAGE

Details
**A GOLD AND MULTI-GEM BIRDCAGE
Designed as a glass and black enamel rectangular cage, the top trimmed with beige agate, the glass walls decorated along the top and bottom with cabochon rubies and gold geometric detail, either end of the cage extending a half moon-shaped feeder compartment set with cabochon sapphires, the compartment grates opening to access the glass feeding dishes, topped by an 18k gold grated lid, with gold handles set with cabochon lapis lazuli terminals, to the beige agate base designed as variously-shaped lapis lazuli, with a central wading pool and two coral branches, the cage housing two green beryl lovebirds, each bezel-set with cabochon ruby eyes, perched on a gold and wooden swing, with cabochon sapphire and coral detail, circa 1935, 12 x 8½ x 8½ ins., with French assay marks
With maker's marks for Verger Frères for Van Cleef & Arpels
Literature
Price, Judith. Masterpieces of French Jewelry. Philadelphia: Running Press, 2006, page 90

Raulet, Sylvie. Van Cleef & Arpels. Paris: Editions du Regard, 1986, page 297

For a similar birdcage: Van Cleef & Arpels - Palais Galliéra, Editions Paris-Musée, 1992, catalogue of the exhibition at the Musée Galliéra, Paris, item no. 309 "Cage à Oiseaux, circa 1930, cage en or poli, laque et cristal, lapis, émail façon lapis et rubis cabochon, le fond de la cage est semé de pierres semi-précieuses"
Exhibited
Timeless Glamour, Fred Leighton, Fall 2007 - Winter 2008, New York, Las Vegas
Special Notice
Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Brought to you by

Lisa Weston
Lisa Weston
Tel: 212 636 2311

Lot Essay

It seems that in the 1930s, Van Cleef & Arpels was commissioned to create this masterpiece by a Maharajah as an aquarium for his pet tree frog. The "Maison d'Hortense" was outfitted with a tiny gold ladder, which the frog would ascend and descend according to the weather. It is believed that the aquarium was later transformed into its present state as a birdcage, housing two carved emerald lovebirds.

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