A gold and enamel musical box, the movement Piguet & Meylan, the box Jean-George Rémond & Co., Geneva, circa 1811-1814

of purse form, the lid and base engine-turned to simulate figured silk within chased leafy borders picked out in dark blue enamel, reeded sides, the musical movement started by a replaced lever at left, the interior with sur-plateau movement with 19 teeth, the movement struck P & M and numbered: 980, the movement and inside of lid scratched:980 and: Dansse & Dimier a Genève, the case with makers' mark, P & C entwined control, the rim numbered: 980, with associated contemporary key of lozenge form stamped with a hound seated by a heart-topped column

The property of a noble family, sale, Christie's London, 6 July 2005, lot 48

Sotheby's does not guarantee functioning of movement although movement is currently working. Case in very good condition apart from minor enamel losses on base. Small dent and enamel loss on back panel. As mentioned in description the slide to movement has been replaced as have the pins to movement cover.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. 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.
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."

Isaac-Daniel Piguet (1775-1841) was born in Le Chenit (Vaud) and is said to have moved before 1800 to Geneva, working firstly for Jean-Frédéric Leschot before entering into partnership with his brother-in-law Henri Capt, another mécanicien, on 10 February 1802. He appears on his own as 'horloger mécanicien à la Madelaine' in 1809 but entered a new partnership with Philippe-Samuel Meylan (1772-1845) in 1811. The two worked together as 'Marchands & Fournisseurs d'horlogerie & Bijouterie' with a workshop at Chevelu, Maison Bellot (later renamed 45 rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau), until the partnership was dissolved in February 1828. Many advances in the creation of very small and very thin movements for watches, musical boxes and automata of the most refined sort are credited to the partnership as well as the invention of the sur-plateau musical movement.

Dansse & Dimier were wholesale 'Marchands horlogers' in Geneva with their comptoir 'Derrière le Rhone No. 169' between 1814 and 1817.