Swiss

• the rectangular case engine turned on sablé ground bordered by running vari-color gold foliage, the top panel finely chased with vari-color gold scrolling foliage, centered by an oval lid decorated with a polychrome enamel burst of summer flowers on translucent pink enamel over engine turning with loss at the hinge, edged by split pearls, the brightly feathered bird rising from a bird-shaped reserve; the bird realistically swivels its body, flaps its wings, opens and closes its beak, moves its head and tail, the base with central engine-turned reserve centered by a blank rectangular cartouche and bordered by vari-color gold scrolling foliage • the bird mechanism with fusee and chain, rectangular bellows, the song produced by a piston whistle, eight stacked cams, male key wound • the back with a hinged compartment • the box stamped with case maker's mark CI (Chenevard Jouvet & Cie) in an oval, Geneva gold mark (G) used after 1815, the movement stamped FR in an oval for Frères Rochat and number 382

The gold box overall in very good condition with very little wear and crisp engine turning and engraving to the panels. Light oxidation overall visible in between the scrolls and foliage, light wear to the corner engraved and chased vases. Light marks around the screws on the edges. The top enamel panel in good condition with repair at the hinge measuring 1 x 1 cm. Upon opening the box the bird rises but fails to sing or move of its own accord, the movement in need of oiling and cleaning. The bird does move and the box sings when the fusee is rotated. Bird with some feathers fraying.
"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."

Accompanied by an associated paper grained travel box and male key.

The present lot is notable given its diminutive size of 78 mm, a remarkable technical achievement given the complexity of the singing bird movement. Other examples of singing birds range in the length of 85 to 90 mm.

Salomon Chénevard (1773-1837) worked as jeweler living in the Rue de Temple, Geneva. Both Chénevard and the jeweler Jean-Louis Joly (1757-1825) had been partners of the firm Roux, Ponçon & Cie., manufacturers of bijouterie, from September 1801 until 1803. They are recorded as entering their first marks in the name of Joly & Chénevard in 1807/8. In 1815 they had taken on a younger partner, Pierre Jouvet, exemplified by their new mark, depicting ICI in a lozenge. In 1820, they re-named the firm Chénevard, Jouvet & Cie. Jouvet’s wife, Jacqueline Etienette Guidon took Joly's place on his retirement in 1824.

The firm of Frères Rochat began as David Rochat & Son in Le Brassus (1718-1806) and became famous for its complicated movements and a variety of complex novelties that included singing birds in mirrors, snuff boxes, needle cases and pistols.

For a discussion of their work see Jaquet, Eugène and Chapuis, Alfred, The Technique and History of the Swiss Watch, pp. 154-156. The firm was listed as 'Geneva makers 1810-1835’.

For a four-color gold and enamel singing bird box chased in similar style to the present box and struck with the same case maker's mark, see Sotheby’s Zurich, 14 November 1979, lot 224, as well as the Celebrated King Farouk Magicians Box, Sotheby’s New York, 8 June 2016, lot 81.

For a biography on Frères Rochat and illustrations of their work, see Bailly, Sharon & Christian, Flights of Fancy, Geneva, 2001, pp. 211-260.­­­­­­­­­­­­