The following two lots, 3663 and 3664, both consigned by important private collectors, are good examples of singing bird boxes made by the celebrated Charles Bruguier, distinguished by the fine quality of the mechanisms, the enamel decoration and the "taille-douce" engraving to the side panels, all consistent with the exceptional signature craftsmanship of Bruguier. Charles-Abraham Bruguier was born in Geneva in 1788. Throughout his early professional life he concentrated on automata, working for a number of different manufacturers both in London and Geneva before setting up his own workshop in Geneva. His first works are considered amongst the most beautiful singing bird mechanism of small size ever made. Bruguier's technique of recreating the bird's song was unparalleled, resulting in an astoundingly beautiful and realistic sound. His boxes were often decorated by famous Genevan enamallists such as Richter, Dufey and Procchietto. After his death in 1862 his workshops were passed down to his two sons and later to his grandson. For an extensive biography and history of the Bruguier family and illustrations of various examples of their work see Flights of Fancy - Mechanical Singing Birds by Sharon & Christian Bailly, pp. 261 - 294.

CHARLES BRUGUIER GILT SILVER AND ENAMEL SINGING BIRD BOX

SIGNED CHARLES BRUGUIER, NO. 21, CIRCA 1850

Details

CHARLES BRUGUIER

GILT SILVER AND ENAMEL SINGING BIRD BOX
Signed Charles Bruguier, No. 21, circa 1850
The brass movement with chain fusée, stacked cams, rectangular bellows, rectangular curvate box, entirely "taille-douce" engraved floral and foliage decorated sides and bottom over engine-turned background, the top with polychrome enamel floral and foliage decoration, a slide to the front opening the hinged oval cover decorated with a painted polychrome enamel landscape scene, a polychrome enamel bouquet of flowers on light blue background to the inside, opening to reveal a finely pierced and engraved scroll decorated grille and to release the colourfully plumed bird, rotating on its axis, chirping, flapping its wings, wagging its tail, turning its head and opening its beak; movement signed and numbered
85 x 45 mm.

Literature

Prominently illustrated in Flights of Fancy - Mechanical Singing Birds by Sharon & Christian Bailly, p. 266, with mention of the presentation box stamped "Desoutter, 4 Hanover St., London W".

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

US$25,000-35,000

With fitted presentation box stamped Desoutter, 4 Hannover St., London W.

More from Important Watches

View All