Piguet & Capt, Genève

• flattened pear form, front fitted with an oval medallion painted with a polychrome enamel trophy of agriculture against an architectural setting,  the reverse with a musical trophy heightened in tones of yellow and white enamel  against an opaque green enamel ground, each panel with midnight blue translucent enamel reserves over engine-turning, the upper portion further set with translucent red enamel on an engine-turned ground and heightend by a flower laden cornucopia below a quiver and arrow, the reverse similarly enamelled and heightened by a basket of flowers, the sides engraved with a running band of leaf tips framed within egg and dart mouldings and heightened with champlevé enamel powder blue and black enamel, threaded stopper, pinned barrel musical movement comprising six teeth divided between the top and bottom, music regulated by a governor, the music released by means of a lever below the front panel, music work scratched Piguet & Capt a Geneve, no. 124, the interior of the top cover stamped G.D. 



 

Mechanism running while cataloguing, musical feature functioning as well, it is also important in order to preserve the wheelworks to have a service in the future. The front enamel panel is in good condition with bright full colours, all the enamel around is also very well preserved with beautiful pattern. Overall this is a very high quality piece from the period, it can easily be considered today as an execution with highest standard both from technical and aesthetic point of view. This is a one of the most exquisite example of a scent bottle with musical mechanism to appear on the auction market.
"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 present lot, no.124 is one of two Musical Scent Flacons of nearly identical construction. The second piece also Piguet & Capt has a different enamel scene. Numbered 86 the second one was formerly in the King Farouk Collection and was sold, Sotheby & Co., The Palace Collections of Egypt, Koubbeh Palace, Cairo March 10^th- 17^th, 1954, pl. 24, lot 538.

Today the Farouk piece forms part of a Swiss National Collection, and was exhibited at Schweizerisches LandesMuseum, Zurich in 1996, for an illustration of no. 86, including the music work see Salz, Klangkunst 200 Jahre Musikdosen, p. 136.

Isaac Daniel Piguet (1775 – 1841) and Henri Capt (1773 – 1837?) were partners from 1802 to 1811 in the firm bearing their name, Piguet & Capt.  The duo are considered amongst the most important makers of small objects incorporating music, automata and watches at the end of the 18^th and beginning of the 19^th centuries examples attributed to them are exhibited in the world's foremost collections such as the Patek Philippe Museum, Geneva.