A SILVER-GILT AND ENAMEL SINGING BIRD TIMEPIECE, C.A. MARGUERAT, SWISS, CIRCA 1925 |

the clock with gilt dial with Arabic numerals and small alarm-actuated dial within, behind domed glass front, the bezel and rectangular case in primrose-yellow guilloché enamel with painted floral motifs, flanked by two silver-gilt fluted columns on a rectangular base, the top inset with an oval lid, decorated with a view of the château de Chillon on Lake Geneva, lifting to present the feathered automaton trilling, dancing and flapping its wings, the sides engine-turned with garlands of roses, maker's mark CM, Swiss mark, further struck: 935, in fitted brown leather case with key.Charles-Armand Marguerat (1887-1931) was born at Lutry near Lausanne but set up business in Geneva around 1914.  From 1915-19 he styled himself as ‘fabricant de montres’ (watchmaker), working from 9 rue de Savoie. From about 1920 until his death in 1931 he moved to Avenue de la Gare des Eaux Vives 18, where he advertised the ‘Manufacture d'Oiseaux Chantants’. He is noted for rectangular boxes with a small round timepiece mounted on two pillars above the box, such as the present example. The clock mechanism can be set to trigger the bird box in the same way as an alarm, or the box may be played independently.

In overall good condition, the base of the right column loose. Please note, Condition 11 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's. For that reason, Sotheby's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot.