A GOLD, ENAMEL AND PEARL SINGING BIRD BOX, THE MOVEMENT BY JAQUET-DROZ & LESCHOT, THE BOX MAKER'S MARK OF GUIDON, RÉMOND, GIDE, GENEVA, 1792-1801 | A gold, enamel and pearl singing bird box, the movement by Jaquet-Droz & Leschot, the box maker's mark of Guidon, Rémond, Gide, Geneva, 1792-1801

rectangular with cut corners, the oval central lid painted with Betsy in Trouble, and  lifting to reveal the brightly-feathered automaton bird with a bone beak, the ground enamelled in deep translucent blue over a gold ground engine-turned with stripes and rosettes within taille d'épargne borders, the angles embellished with urns and pillars, the lids bordered by half pearls, the base concealing the hinged key compartment, the pierced grille engraved twice: Jqt Droz & Leschot, London, top and base lids with maker's mark, the central engraved medallion surrounding the bird of a later date, with original enamelled key and replacement provided by A. Bontemps, in later plush case

Belgian Noble Family. Bought by the grand-father of the present owners between the 2 wars.

Restoration and varnishing to enamel of lid medallion; Restoration to blue enamel on sides and chip to back; minor scratches on base; grille previously slightly split towards front, but now professionally restored. The bird is missing its eyes, the beak is not moving as it should be, the whistle is stuck, therefore the bird only plays one note at the moment. The movement is sluggish, the bellows are possibly leaking and have been repaired previoulsy, with patches stuck on the leather (probably at the time when Bontemps restored it). Early movement, currently working, but Sotheby's take no responsibility for future functioning. Restoration to the original enamel key. Please note this lot contains tropical bird feathers, but no ivory. The bird is further embellished with later metallic fringing probably applied at the time of restoration by Bontemps. Please also note that the music can be set off with a separate lever than the bird movement, meaning the music can be played without the bird popping out, if one wishes, which is a rather rare feature.
"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."

The firm of Jaquet-Droz & Leschot, founded by Pierre Jaquet-Droz (1721-1790) in La Chaux de Fonds, created automata of all types from tiny mechanisms for watches to lifesize androids displayed with great success around the courts of Europe. His son and their protegé Jean-Frédéric Leschot (1746-1824) set up in business in Geneva in 1784 to invent and supply complicated automata to be exported, via the East India company in London, to China where they were highly prized as gifts for the Imperial family. The lid is painted with Betsy in trouble, engraved in 1797 by Schiavonetti, after the painting by John Russell. The apt subject illustrates the moral of what happens when a live pet canary is neglected unlike the long-lasting singing bird contained within the box. The pair to the present box, with the lid painted as a mirror image but otherwise identical, was sold Skinner's Boston, 28 October 2007, lot 558, and is now in a private collection.



The firm of Jaquet-Droz & Leschot, founded by Pierre Jaquet-Droz (1721-1790) in La Chaux de Fonds, created automata of all types from tiny mechanisms for watches to lifesize androids displayed with great success around the courts of Europe. His son and their protegé Jean-Frédéric Leschot (1746-1824) set up in business in Geneva in 1784 to invent and supply complicated automata to be exported, via the East India company in London, to China where they were highly prized as gifts for the Imperial family. The lid is painted with Betsy in trouble, engraved in 1797 by Schiavonetti, after the painting by John Russell. The apt subject illustrates the moral of what happens when a live pet canary is neglected unlike the long-lasting singing bird contained within the box. The pair to the present box, with the lid painted as a mirror image but otherwise identical, was sold Skinner's Boston, 28 October 2007, lot 558, and is now in a private collection.