A jewelled pearl, enamel and gold musical box, the movement by Piguet & Meylan, Jean-George Rémond & Co, Geneva, circa 1810-1815

of rectangular form, the lid as a wallet closed with a turquoise and pearl rosette, enamelled in translucent blue on a diaper engine-turned ground within taille d'épargne anthemion borders, the base similarly decorated, the sides with wavy engine-turned panels, radial movement with 16 tines, the movement with makers' mark and numbered: 044, maker's mark IGRC in horizontal lozenge inside lid and box, lid also with PC control mark, rim numbered: 944, with key

restoration to enamel on lid and base, movement currently functioning but not guaranteed by Sotheby's.
"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-Frederic 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 them as well as the invention of the sur-plateau musical movement.