The Art of Horology in Geneva

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 13, 1999

LOT 68

Jaquet-Droz & Leschot, London, the box by Jean- Georges Rémond, Geneva, produced in Geneva for the English Market, circa 1790.Fine and rare 18K gold and enamel pearl-set singing bird box.

CHF 150,000 - 180,000

C. Double body, rectangular with canted corners, the enamel lid painted with fountains in a park and set with split-pearls on the border of the singing bird aperture, side and base panels decorated with fruit, flowers, doves and musical trophies, painted over an azure ground, the canted corners and border of the lid with paillonné decoration over a black ground. The cover of the box painted with the Muse of Music, flanked by two cherubs. Singing bird movement: rectangular plates with canted cornrs and turned pillars, fusee with chain, circular bellow, the bird with moving wings, tail and beak, controlled by a stack of6 cams, inertia wheel regulator. Gilt brass engraved grill and outer gilt protection grill, pierced and engraved with foliage.Signed on the protection grill.Dim. 87 x 45 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3 - 6
Movement: * 3

Notes

Jean-Georges RémondGeneva, goldsmith, active from 1783 to 1815-20.Master goldsmith 22 December 1783 and struck his first Master mark. Seven years later he appears to have formed a company: Georges Rémond & Cie., which eventually became circa 1800, Rémond, Mercier, Lamy & Cie. During the French occupation of Switzerland by Napoléon, J.-G. Rémond recorded marks which were in accordance with the laws of the newly formed Département of Léman, i.e. his initials within a lozenge. From 1815 to 1820, the firm Lamy, Rémond, Mercier, Daniel Berton, used a similar mark,ut no longer enclosed by a lozenge. It seems that Rémond retired or died during this partnership, since in 1820 a new firm of Mercier, Blondel and Berton was formed. However this new company only lasted a further seven years, until 14 April 1827.Rémond's different Master marks: between laurel branches, circa 1780 - 1790. with a crown above, circa 1790 - 1800. circa 1800 - 1810. in a lozenge, circa 1810 - 1815. 1815, before 1820.