JAQUET-DROZ AND LESCHOT, LONDON, THE BOX BY JEAN-GEORGES RÉMOND, GENEVA

• the movement  of rectangular form with canted corners and turned pillars, fusee and chain, circular bellow, the bird controlled by a stack of six cams • gilt-metal outer grill pierced and engraved with foliate scrolls and the signature Jaquet Droz & Leschot, London, the bird concealed beneath a gold and enamel oval panel painted with a polychrome enamel scene representing a muse flanked by two putti, bordered by split pearls, the brightly feathered bird rising from a bird-shaped reserve surrounded by pierced and engraved scrolls, the bird with swiveling body, flapping wings, moving head, beak and tail • the hinged lid decorated with a pair of fountains in a classical landscape against a periwinkle blue enamel ground, the sides and base painted with fruit, floral swags, doves and trophies of music all against a periwinkle blue ground, the base hinged, the interior stamped twice with the casemaker's mark GRC below a crown for Jean-George Rémond, the casemaker's mark also stamped on the underside of the top lid, the bellows plate with scratched signature of Jacob Frisard, Bienne

A fine and unusual box with lovely proportions, rare and collectible. Movement – The signature plate has sustained three breaks to the metal; the back of the plate shows three signs of soldered repair where the breaks occurred. As a result, the signature appears to have had some restoration and repairs. The pressure release fingers has been replaced. The fly and the two surrounding gears are all replacements. The bellows should be re-covered. The operating slide and button are not original. The bird is operational but the latch that keeps the bird does not always stand up straight. In order for the bird to function, this will need to be repaired as it currently is unable to smoothly rise and fall. It should also be noted that the bird has been expertly re-feathered. The hinge to the oval panel that covers the bird is loose and also has had some repair, interfering to the lid not opening fully. The case – the face of the lady on the oval panel has been resorted. Otherwise, the top lid scenes are finely executed, border with some restoration. The side and bottom panels are also well executed. The bottom panel border with some restoration. All the panels have minor surface wear.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Accompanied by an associated gold and enamel winding key and later fitted red leather box.

The firm of Jaquet-Droz, in business from 1752- 1784, was started by Pierre Jaquet Droz (1721-1790). He was later joined by his sons Henri-Louis Droz (1752-1791) and Jean-Frederic Leschot (1746-1824?). The Jaquet-Droz firm is known to have introduced complicated horology to Geneva of the kind 'which united a clock or watch with music, scenery and art', (see Jeanneret, F.A.M. Etrennes Neuchâteloises, 1862). Their creation of life-like automata 'The Writer', 'The Musician' and 'The Draftsman' brought them fame and wealth, such that allowed Pierre the time to devote to more specialized watches and clocks incorporating singing bird, music and automata.

The firm opened a London branch in 1775. Through this branch they supplied the James Cox Museum of Mechanisms with watches. Through their association with Cox they were the first Geneva watch and clock firm to trade with China, thus opening the door for their fellow Genevoises.

Following the deaths of Pierre and Henri-Louis, in 1790 and 1791 respectively, the firm continued under the leadership of Jean-Frederic Leschot and the firm's name was changed to Jaquet-Droz Leschot.

Jacob Frisard (1753-1812) worked with Jaquet-Droz & Leschot in Geneva. He specialized in singing-bird boxes, singing-bird cages, mechanical and musical automata-watches, musical boxes, handles and carillon boxes. Much is known of the relationship between Leschot and Frisard due to the considerable correspondence that exists between the two.

Frisard was considered a master technician and it is thought that he had a hand in many of the finest pieces produced by the firm of Jaquet-Droz & Leschot. The working collaboration ended in 1795. For extensive information about Jaquet-Droz, Leschot and Frisard see  Bailly, S. and C., Flights of Fancy, pp.81-209.

Jean-George Rémond was a box maker of repute and worked first on his own, at which time his mark was GRC. In 1796-1797 he became a member of the partnership of Guidon, Remond Gide & Co., and the mark became GRG crowned.

Literature:

See Bailly, S. and C., Flights of Fancy, p. 119.