.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Since its purchase by the present owner, this exquisite and extremely rare musical and automaton box, has remained in the same private collection for nearly two decades. It can be attributed to the famous firm of Piguet et Meylan of Geneva. An identical box, also unsigned, was in the collection of Sir David Lionel Salomons. It is illustrated in: ‘Le Monde des Automates’ Chapuis and Gélis, fig. 308, where it is attributed to Piguet et Meylan. A further similar example was in the collection of King Farouk of Egypt. Featuring the same composition of a lady playing a harp on the right and a gentleman accompanying her on the guitar, the painted enamel background is also set in a room and the musical instruments had strikingly similar details. This box was punched with the mark of Piguet et Meylan. Another related box was sold by Christie’s Geneva, 16th May 2001, lot 200.
The fine gold and enamel box can be attributed to one of the best goldsmiths of the period, Jean-Georges Rémond, probably dating from the period when the company was called Rémond, Lamy, Mercier & Co., between 1811 and 1819. The combination of the distinctive black latticework under the translucent enamel and engraving on engine turning forming floral or foliate patterns, and sometimes geometrical designs, is very characteristic of his work. Indeed, Rémond was probably the first to apply a black painted geometric pattern beneath translucent enamel, usually a rich dark blue, which enhanced the appearance of the pieces considerably. Jean-Georges Rémond was one of the most eminent horological goldsmiths of all time, although best known for snuff boxes he produced a variety of precious objects. Rémond had become a master goldsmith in 1783, at various stages of his career he formed companies with several other goldsmiths, often the associations did not last more than a few years and the companies were dissolved and renamed as partners came and left. In 1804 Rémond formed a new company in Geneva, Jean-Georges Rémond et Compagnie, the company is recorded as “pour exercer le commerce de bijouterie et horlogerie”. When the company was dissolved in 1811, Rémond immediately established a new company – Rémond, Lamy, Mercier & Co., with an impressive capital of 400,000 Francs. The company produced a variety of magnificent objets de vertu, from small etuis to highly elaborate gold and enamel boxes, singing birds and cases for repeating watches.
Piguet & Meylan
Isaac-Daniel Piguet was born in Le Chenit in the Valley of Joux in 1775. At an early age, he specialized in the manufacturing of expensive and complicated pieces such as watches with carillons and en passant hour and quarter striking clock watches. He finally settled in Geneva where, in 1811, he formed a partnership with Philippe-Samuel Meylan.
Philippe-Samuel Meylan (1772-1845), a member of a family of renowned watchmakers, was born in Le Brassus. He specialized in the production of very thin watches and became an eminent maker of watches with musical automata.
The fine gold and enamel box can be attributed to one of the best goldsmiths of the period, Jean-Georges Rémond, probably dating from the period when the company was called Rémond, Lamy, Mercier & Co., between 1811 and 1819. The combination of the distinctive black latticework under the translucent enamel and engraving on engine turning forming floral or foliate patterns, and sometimes geometrical designs, is very characteristic of his work. Indeed, Rémond was probably the first to apply a black painted geometric pattern beneath translucent enamel, usually a rich dark blue, which enhanced the appearance of the pieces considerably. Jean-Georges Rémond was one of the most eminent horological goldsmiths of all time, although best known for snuff boxes he produced a variety of precious objects. Rémond had become a master goldsmith in 1783, at various stages of his career he formed companies with several other goldsmiths, often the associations did not last more than a few years and the companies were dissolved and renamed as partners came and left. In 1804 Rémond formed a new company in Geneva, Jean-Georges Rémond et Compagnie, the company is recorded as “pour exercer le commerce de bijouterie et horlogerie”. When the company was dissolved in 1811, Rémond immediately established a new company – Rémond, Lamy, Mercier & Co., with an impressive capital of 400,000 Francs. The company produced a variety of magnificent objets de vertu, from small etuis to highly elaborate gold and enamel boxes, singing birds and cases for repeating watches.
Piguet & Meylan
Isaac-Daniel Piguet was born in Le Chenit in the Valley of Joux in 1775. At an early age, he specialized in the manufacturing of expensive and complicated pieces such as watches with carillons and en passant hour and quarter striking clock watches. He finally settled in Geneva where, in 1811, he formed a partnership with Philippe-Samuel Meylan.
Philippe-Samuel Meylan (1772-1845), a member of a family of renowned watchmakers, was born in Le Brassus. He specialized in the production of very thin watches and became an eminent maker of watches with musical automata.