The Art of Horology in Geneva

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 13, 1999

LOT 94

Inventé par Antoine Rojard à Genève, No. 2174,the box by Jean-Georges Rémond, Geneva,circa 1810.Extremely fine and rare, 18K gold and enamel, pearl-set musical snuffbox with automaton scene.

CHF 0 - 0

C. Rectangular with canted corners, blue flinqué enamelled side and base panels, borders and corners with champlevé enamelled foliage decoration. The blue flinqué enamelled lid with split-pearl set border, centred with a very fine painted allegorical scene depicting the Muse of Music in the company of two cherubs. Disclosed by the lid, the varicoloured gold automaton scene, features a young lady playing the tympanon, accompanied by a monkey playing the triangle while three other figures are beatng time and a fine lounge painted on the background. M. Gilt brass rectangular with fusee and chain, pinned drum with stacked tuned teeth.Signature scratched on the movement, Jean-Georges Rémond Master mark punched on the box.Dim. 87 x 60 x 35 mm


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 1 - 21
Movement: * 2

Notes

RojardThis box is remarkable, not only for the complexity of the musical and automaton mechanism driving five automata, but also for the high standard of craftsmanship, in particular the five-coloured gold chased automaton scene, the quality of the goldsmith work and above all the magnificent execution of the painting. It is an exceptional example of the best quality objects of virtu which were produced in Geneva when the most eminent craftsmen of the time were chosen to combine their talents.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.