Courvoisier & Compe.

• 5英寸白色琺瑯錶盤，印有Courvoisier & Compe. No. 11359 款識，藍鋼寶璣式指針，12時位置下設校正顯示盤，阿拉伯數字 • 長方形夾板擺輪心軸機芯置於橢圓形桃花心木盒內 • 底部鎏金銅雙足為後添，正面鎏金銅匾牌裝置滑桿，選擇左（靜音/音樂）、中（只在啟動時播放音樂）、右（選擇曲調）• 八角形鎏金銅鳥籠，飾甕、松果及橡子造型 • 鳥籠內三隻彩繪歌唱小鳥，飛翔時拍動雙翼、旋轉身軀、啄部開合、 狀似來回飛動 • 小鳥後方有瀑布，由四支玻璃管組成，旋轉以模仿水流







* 拍品資料以英文圖錄為準。

Collection of M. Ant. Feil, Hamburg
Christie's, London, Important Clocks, Watches and Marine Chronometers, 2 July 1997, lot 27
Collection of Frank and Lore Metzger, New York

Alfred Chapuis, Histoire de la Pendulerie Neuchateloise, fig. 239
Mechanical Music, The Courvoisier Automata, Parts I-VII - July/August 2010; January/February 2011; March /April 2011; May/June 2011; July/August 2011; September/October 2011

Sympathetic restoration throughout, for a detailed description of the restoration see Frank Metzger, Mechanical Music, January/February, Part III, by Frank Metzger gives an illustrated and detailed description of the restoration carried out on this piece. Dr. Metzger, did a full restoration of the automaton movement and music as well as minimal cosmetic restoration, overall. Substantive change of the feet, which had been changed sometime in the first half of the 20th century, and was purchased from Christie's with these feet. The winding arbor with very minor cracks. Restored in fully working condition. Birds in very good condition with no apparent cracks to the paint. Base in very good condition with no cracks or wear. Cage in very good condition with gilt intact. Accompanied by 3 winding keys and 2 setting keys.
"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."

The automata and music sequence work in the following manner: on the hour the music will play a single tune followed by the automata comprising the singing bird and waterfall motions. Alternatively, the automata is released at will without the music, when the lever is switched to "Libre" and the cord is pulled. Similarly the music can play at will, continuously without the automata.

Today only seven bird cage pieces, either attributed to, or signed Courvoisier & Compe. are known. Of this select group only two are signed. Although none of the pieces are identical, each shares characteristics that help attribute them to this maker. Production of their cages spans a fifteen year period between 1820-1835.

Several of the shared features comprise the cage shape and design, including the grilles which are composed of delicately pierced and engraved scrollwork. Furthermore, a particular specialty of Courvoisier is the use of a fusee chain to drive the bird motion, unlike their contemporaries who used silk thread, such Jaquet Droz. 

The cost of making these pieces apparently prevented Courvoisier & Compe. from commercial success which would likely account for the small number of cages produced. There is little available literature regarding the firm's production of bird cages.

Courvoisier & Compe. registered their mark in La Chaux-de-Fonds, in 1811. The firm consisted of Louis Courvoisier, Philippe Ducommun and Philibert Humbert Droz. The firm's roots go back much further and the Louis Courvoisier family is known as one of the oldest in the horological industry working in La-Chaux-de-Fonds. Originally founded by Josue Robert et fils in 1770, his son-in-law Louis Courvoisier joined in 1787. For a further history of this illustrious family of makers, see Pritchard, K., Swiss Timepiece Makers, pp C81-C93.

Dr. Metzger, who purchased the present lot in 1997, became intrigued by the maker, the lack of existing research as well the rarity of surviving Courvoisier cages. As a result Dr. Metzger collaborated with the noted singing bird automata specialist and author Sharon Kerman Bailly to research Courvoisier's singing bird automata. The research was published in a series of articles in Mechanical Music between the fall of 2010 and the summer of 2011. In his articles, Dr. Metzger writes that he had discovered six examples. Dr. Metzger adds that in his opinion the differing pieces were produced to serve as test models for various export markets. Dr. Metzger further writes "the clocks were well received but for reasons unknown, were never standardized nor produced in quantity as were those of other bird automata makers."

For examples of their bird cage automata either signed or attributed to Courvoisier & Compe. of the aforementioned six, see Chapuis, A. and Droz, E., Automata, pp. 214-215, fig 260, which was formerly in the Collection Ikle, Saint Gallen, one in the Collection of the Topkapi Palace Museum, Istanbul, fig. 261, two others in Bailly, S. and Bailly, C., Flights of Fancy, pp. 131, 197-198,The Reuge Collection, and another from the Estate of Laurance S. Rockefeller, Sotheby's, New York, 11-12 October 2005, now in a private collection.

Recently a seventh candidate has appeared on the market, see Antiquorum, 8 November 2014, Geneva, lot 573.