For a biography of Henry-Daniel Capt, please refer to the lot 78 of this sale.FR (Rochat)Behind the initials FR lies a mystery. Do they signify frères Rochat, as is commonly thought, or rather François Rochat? Who were the craftsmen of these fine pieces?We know that the sons of David Rochat, who was a Master watchmaker from Le Brassus in the Vallée de Joux, were François Elisée, Frédéric, and Samuel Henri. David Rochat and sons worked for Jaquet-Droz and Leschot, providing ebauches of singing bird mechanisms, at the end of the 18th century.In the early years of the 19th century, these three Rochat brothers moved to Geneva and went into business on their own, soon splitting up into two groups. François remained on his own (later aided by his son, Ami Napoléon), and Frédéric and Samuel worked together, (with Frédéric's sons, Antoine and Louis). FR is often thought to stand for these Rochat brothers.Another suggestion deserves consideration. The signature FR may not stand for frères Rochat, but rather for a single name: François Rochat. This hypothesis is attractive, particularly since certain pieces are known to exist on which Ami Rochat, son of François, has scratched his name, as repairer. (However, the initials could also stand for Frédéric Rochat, François' brother.)Other Rochats were working in Geneva at the time. Among them is Louis Rochat, originally from l'Abbaye in the Vallée de Joux, who is considered to be the maker of a piece with clock and singing birds (today in the Peking Museum) which won a prize from the Genevan Réunion des Industriels in 1829. A similar piece, the "Temple" automaton, is today in the Seewen Museum, and is marked "106", along with the familiar "three tulips" mark. Louis worked with his brother François, and in 1814, the two broters formed an association, Frères Rochat et Compagnie, along with Pierre Daniel Campiche.Until research proves the exact identity of the fine artisans behind the signature FR, all these hypotheses should be considered. It is certain that there were professional ties, and probably family ties as well, between them. For example, Antoine (son of Frédéric) and Louis Rochat from l'Abbaye worked together for a time, beginning around 1850.The Rochats from Le Brassus:David Rochat, (1746-1812).His sons :François Elisée Rochat, (Jacques François Elisée, 1771-1836).Frédéric Rochat, (David Henri Frédéric, 1774-1848).Samuel Henri Rochat, (1777-1854).The son of François Elisée:Napoléon Ami François Rochat, (1807-1875).The sons of Frédéric :Antoine-Frédéric Auguste Rochat, (1799-?).Charles-Louis François Rochat, (1795-?).The Rochats from l'Abbaye :Louis Rochat, (Louis Jean Rochat, 1781-1858).François Rochat, (1792-1838).From the Mark Yaffe Collection