Singing Bird for Jaquet Droz, Geneve. Made circa 1780. Very fine and very rare, gilt bronze and painted on enamel, eight-day going, center seconds, hanging birdcage clock with automaton bird, singing seven tunes on the hour and half-hour or at will.
C. Octagonal, the fine gilt bronze cage with eight turned pillars and vase finials, pierced and engraved side panels, wirework dome centered by a stiff-leaf cast terminal and ring suspension, the base with gilt bronze pilasters between green painted panels, each alternate panel mounted with a charming painted on enamel scene depicting a child enjoying a country pursuit and within a gilt bronze oval swag and trophy mount, the other panels set with cast and chased gilt bronze military trophies, the whole raised on eight stiff-leaf and flower feet. D.
On the base, white enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track and Arabic five minute numerals, arbor for the regulator. Pierced and engraved gilt brass hour and minute hands, blued steel center seconds hand. M.
The clock movement: Rectangular brass plates measuring 105 x 70 mm, fusee and chain, verge escapement, three-arm brass balance, blued steel flat balance spring, pierced cock covering the balance, blued steel endplate. The clock commands the striking, serinette and singing bird functions automatically on the hour and half-hour.
The serinette: Comprises a going train, fusee and chain transmission, the wheel train terminates to an endless screw on a fly wheel, the 2 wings of which are adjustable. This wheel train drives the bellows and the brass cylinder, 55 x 130 mm, the pins activating 10 levers that command the opening of 10 pewter pipes seven different tunes may be manually selected, by means of a wheel on one of the sides. A silent pull-stop is located on one of the sides. A pull cord commands the serinette and bird at will. The winding hole for the serinette is located on one of the sides.
The bird: With blue, black and white plumage, pivoting, with moving beak and tail. The bird’s functions are programmed by a particular portion of the serinette’s cylinder which engages several small levers; the bird’s rotation is driven by a rod connected to the going train. Dim. 50 x 28 cm.
Estimate: 110,000 USD – 140,000 USD

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