JAQUET-DROZ and followers
1786 Automaton and Serinette
2015 SOLD for $ 2.53M including premium
Pierre Jaquet-Droz engineered automata in a very high complexity that could include hundreds of mechanical components.
His workshop started in the 1770s the theme of the bird cage that will deserve a great success. The song of the bird is obtained by a miniature mechanical organ named serinette with a unique note per pipe. Six pipes are enough to provide the illusion of a high variety.
In the middle of the next decade, Pierre Jaquet-Droz is associated with his son Henri-Louis and with Jean-Frédéric Leschot and engages the best mechanicians of Geneva including Henri Maillardet and Jacob Frisard. The trend to miniaturization increases and Frisard invents around 1784 the box that throws out the songbird at opening and folds it back at closing.
Success invites for the diversification of models and the integration of these mechanisms in enamelled goldware of highest luxury. The Chinese imperial court is interested in these innovations. From London, the clever entrepreneur James Cox maintains trade relations with the Far East.
On June 11 in New York, Sotheby's sells a sumptuous automaton with an articulated singing bird made by Jaquet-Droz, Leschot and Frisard circa 1786 and sold to Cox in 1787, certainly for the Chinese market.
This piece 16 cm high has the shape of a scent flask with its stopper and also incorporates a watch, as it was often the case in this range of products. The size of the bird, 12 mm high, demonstrates the extreme miniaturization achieved by Jaquet-Droz at the time of Frisard.
This automaton is estimated $ 800K, lot 104. It is the first of three Swiss mechanical wonders operated by Sotheby's in the video below:
His workshop started in the 1770s the theme of the bird cage that will deserve a great success. The song of the bird is obtained by a miniature mechanical organ named serinette with a unique note per pipe. Six pipes are enough to provide the illusion of a high variety.
In the middle of the next decade, Pierre Jaquet-Droz is associated with his son Henri-Louis and with Jean-Frédéric Leschot and engages the best mechanicians of Geneva including Henri Maillardet and Jacob Frisard. The trend to miniaturization increases and Frisard invents around 1784 the box that throws out the songbird at opening and folds it back at closing.
Success invites for the diversification of models and the integration of these mechanisms in enamelled goldware of highest luxury. The Chinese imperial court is interested in these innovations. From London, the clever entrepreneur James Cox maintains trade relations with the Far East.
On June 11 in New York, Sotheby's sells a sumptuous automaton with an articulated singing bird made by Jaquet-Droz, Leschot and Frisard circa 1786 and sold to Cox in 1787, certainly for the Chinese market.
This piece 16 cm high has the shape of a scent flask with its stopper and also incorporates a watch, as it was often the case in this range of products. The size of the bird, 12 mm high, demonstrates the extreme miniaturization achieved by Jaquet-Droz at the time of Frisard.
This automaton is estimated $ 800K, lot 104. It is the first of three Swiss mechanical wonders operated by Sotheby's in the video below:
1797 The Concealed Bird
2019 SOLD for CHF 1.02M including premium
The insertion of the singing bird into a clock is a technical feat of mechanical miniaturization, both for the realistic movement of the bird and for the sound produced by a tiny serinette. Its invention is attributed to Frisard working for the company of Jaquet-Droz and Leschot in Geneva.
The first birds are hosted in cages. In two subsequent phases of miniaturization, they appear in vertical cases before popping from snuffboxes through an opening in the flat lid.
The vertical structures take the form of a scent amphora decorated with the greatest luxury. In 1787 the company Jaquet-Droz et Leschot sold two identical flacons to James Cox, the London watchmaker who also acted as an intermediary for the Chinese market.
One of these two timepieces, 16 cm high, was sold for $ 2.53M including premium by Sotheby's on June 11, 2015. On the rear of the amphora, the canary moves behind a round glass pane when a button is activated on a side of the piece. The rich gilded and enameled decoration is set with pearls and various gems.
On May 11 in Geneva, Antiquorum sells a clock similarly designed but including some refinements, lot 35 estimated over CHF 1M, here linked on the Invaluable bidding platform. It is luxurious with a nice blue enamel, gold and pearls but without gems. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
This 19.4 cm high timepiece was made by Georges Rémond et Cie in Geneva, with components dated 1796 and 1797. It is thus later than the death of Pierre Jaquet-Droz in 1790 and of his son in 1791 and was possibly executed under a franchise from Leschot.
When inactive, the bird is concealed behind a round medallion decorated by a woman with bird after Boucher. The pressing of the button simultaneously triggers the opening of the door and the movement and song of the bird. The tail protrudes outside during its turning movement. The door closes automatically when the sequence is finished.
The first birds are hosted in cages. In two subsequent phases of miniaturization, they appear in vertical cases before popping from snuffboxes through an opening in the flat lid.
The vertical structures take the form of a scent amphora decorated with the greatest luxury. In 1787 the company Jaquet-Droz et Leschot sold two identical flacons to James Cox, the London watchmaker who also acted as an intermediary for the Chinese market.
One of these two timepieces, 16 cm high, was sold for $ 2.53M including premium by Sotheby's on June 11, 2015. On the rear of the amphora, the canary moves behind a round glass pane when a button is activated on a side of the piece. The rich gilded and enameled decoration is set with pearls and various gems.
On May 11 in Geneva, Antiquorum sells a clock similarly designed but including some refinements, lot 35 estimated over CHF 1M, here linked on the Invaluable bidding platform. It is luxurious with a nice blue enamel, gold and pearls but without gems. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
This 19.4 cm high timepiece was made by Georges Rémond et Cie in Geneva, with components dated 1796 and 1797. It is thus later than the death of Pierre Jaquet-Droz in 1790 and of his son in 1791 and was possibly executed under a franchise from Leschot.
When inactive, the bird is concealed behind a round medallion decorated by a woman with bird after Boucher. The pressing of the button simultaneously triggers the opening of the door and the movement and song of the bird. The tail protrudes outside during its turning movement. The door closes automatically when the sequence is finished.
1800 The Theatre of Time
2013 SOLD 4.1 MHK$ including premium
The Swiss industry developed the automata in the second half of the eighteenth century. Musical automata integrated into Swiss watches are however a direct offshoot of the Chinese taste. The pieces with highest refinement and best humor were mostly made for immediate export to China.
On November 27 in Hong Kong, Christie's sells a pocket watch titled Le Théâtre in gold and enamel with a circle of pearls. It is estimated HK $ 3.7 M, lot 2787.
This large watch of 62 mm provides the time on front side. On the back, a mountain landscape is centered by a pagoda to be animated with a winding, two pairs of enameled characters then dancing a waltz in the presence of two musicians.
This model is extremely rare but was previously described. The catalog indicates that a unit without beads was sold, also by Christie's, for CHF 390K including premium in 1996.
The Theatre was made circa 1800 by a workshop in Neuchâtel named Du Bois et fils, specialists in automata. This tiny company had been founded in 1738, the same year when Pierre Jaquet-Droz, born in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1721, began his activity.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result, HK$ 4.1M including premium, is in line with the estimate.
Please watch the video shared by Christie's to introduce the sale.
On November 27 in Hong Kong, Christie's sells a pocket watch titled Le Théâtre in gold and enamel with a circle of pearls. It is estimated HK $ 3.7 M, lot 2787.
This large watch of 62 mm provides the time on front side. On the back, a mountain landscape is centered by a pagoda to be animated with a winding, two pairs of enameled characters then dancing a waltz in the presence of two musicians.
This model is extremely rare but was previously described. The catalog indicates that a unit without beads was sold, also by Christie's, for CHF 390K including premium in 1996.
The Theatre was made circa 1800 by a workshop in Neuchâtel named Du Bois et fils, specialists in automata. This tiny company had been founded in 1738, the same year when Pierre Jaquet-Droz, born in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1721, began his activity.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result, HK$ 4.1M including premium, is in line with the estimate.
Please watch the video shared by Christie's to introduce the sale.
1805 Amphora by Piguet et Capt
2002 SOLD for CHF 4M (worth at that time US $ 2.4M) including premium by Antiquorum
narrated in 2021
From 1802 to 1811 in Geneva, Piguet et Capt is the association of two mechanical craftsmen. A specialist in automata, Henry Capt had worked with Jaquet-Droz. He continued as an independent while his brother-in-law Daniel Isaac Piguet joined forces with Philippe Samuel Meylan.
The specialty of Piguet et Capt was the combination of miniature watches, automatons and music in jewelled structures of the greatest luxury, abundantly decorated with pearls and enamels. The shapes are varied : rings, snuff boxes, fans, shields.
On April 13, 2002, Antiquorum sold as lot 607 for CHF 4M including premium worth at that time $ 2.4M a 10 cm high amphora attributed to Piguet et Capt. It had been one of a pair.
This exquisite piece was made circa 1805 for the Chinese market, with an abundance of pearls. The upper part, between the top of the handles, is centered by two dials and an opening onto the mechanism. Note that skeleton watches were also a specialty of Meylan.
The belly of the amphora is a plaque painted in enamel in the style of Vigée-Le Brun. This small panel tilts forward to reveal a double-movement musical automaton in front of a pastoral background : a boy bounces a dog, and a young woman plays the guitar.
The specialty of Piguet et Capt was the combination of miniature watches, automatons and music in jewelled structures of the greatest luxury, abundantly decorated with pearls and enamels. The shapes are varied : rings, snuff boxes, fans, shields.
On April 13, 2002, Antiquorum sold as lot 607 for CHF 4M including premium worth at that time $ 2.4M a 10 cm high amphora attributed to Piguet et Capt. It had been one of a pair.
This exquisite piece was made circa 1805 for the Chinese market, with an abundance of pearls. The upper part, between the top of the handles, is centered by two dials and an opening onto the mechanism. Note that skeleton watches were also a specialty of Meylan.
The belly of the amphora is a plaque painted in enamel in the style of Vigée-Le Brun. This small panel tilts forward to reveal a double-movement musical automaton in front of a pastoral background : a boy bounces a dog, and a young woman plays the guitar.
1805-1810 Swiss Automata for the Chinese Market
2010 SOLD 750 KCHF including premium
Qianlong, the emperor of China who encouraged all forms of art, was a big fan of clocks and automata. His reign lived the development of the workshops in Guangzhou (Canton), in connection with England.
A few years later, Switzerland got in turn the benefit of this export market. Its skilled craftsmen offered the progress of miniaturization, which was so well suited to the Chinese refined mood. The workshops produced gold watches and automata in flat packages decorated with enamel.
An example of automaton attributed to Piguet & Capt and dated between 1805 and 1810 is for sale by Sotheby's in Geneva on May 9. It is shield shaped 55 x 38 x 11 mm, its edge being marked by a row of large pearls.
The front shows a pastoral scene made in three colored gold on a background of finely enameled lake landscape. The shepherdess and her animals are playing different movements of the arms and head beside a water mill whose wheel turns, for a total of seven motions. The back is illustrated by the fixed enamel portrait of two children.
This piece which belonged to King Farouk is estimated CHF 400K.
POST SALE COMMENT
The price, 750 KCHF including premium, is much higher than the estimate, and also higher than I had imagined. Note that this piece was particularly precious.
A few years later, Switzerland got in turn the benefit of this export market. Its skilled craftsmen offered the progress of miniaturization, which was so well suited to the Chinese refined mood. The workshops produced gold watches and automata in flat packages decorated with enamel.
An example of automaton attributed to Piguet & Capt and dated between 1805 and 1810 is for sale by Sotheby's in Geneva on May 9. It is shield shaped 55 x 38 x 11 mm, its edge being marked by a row of large pearls.
The front shows a pastoral scene made in three colored gold on a background of finely enameled lake landscape. The shepherdess and her animals are playing different movements of the arms and head beside a water mill whose wheel turns, for a total of seven motions. The back is illustrated by the fixed enamel portrait of two children.
This piece which belonged to King Farouk is estimated CHF 400K.
POST SALE COMMENT
The price, 750 KCHF including premium, is much higher than the estimate, and also higher than I had imagined. Note that this piece was particularly precious.
1807-1808 Magic Box and Vinaigrette
2020 SOLD for £ 675K including premium
In the early 1800s, Swiss mechanics produced automatons of increasing complexity for the Chinese market. The Theater is a suitable theme to support an animation. A musical watch made circa 1800 probably in Neuchâtel was sold for HK $ 4.1M including premium by Christie's on November 27, 2013.
These mechanisms are also integrated into other types of boxes, often decorated with rows of pearls. A seven-movement shield shaped piece was sold for CHF 750K including premium by Christie's on May 9, 2010. Made around 1820, a snuff box animated by the riddles of a magician was sold for CHF 1.2M including premium by Sotheby's on June 8, 2016.
On July 14 in London, Sotheby's sells a snuff box 8.4 cm wide that conceals several surprises. It is estimated £ 500K, lot 27. It had been sold in the same auction room on November 9, 2000 for £ 640K including premium over a lower estimate of £ 120K.
It has the shape of a small book whose front cover decorated with a leopard opens to display a Temple of Music. The triggering of the movement opens the central door of the temple, activating the performance of a musician before the back of the stage slides to reveal a sanctuary with a flaming altar.
The spine of the book is divided into four sections. The two middle parts open together to make a storage compartment for a key. The upper and lower sections hide respectively a watch and a vinaigrette, which was used by the ladies to sniff a perfume to avoid fainting.
The case was made by Sené et Neisser, two jewelers who were associated between 1805 and 1808 in Geneva. The terminus post quem of its specific maker's mark is 1807. The movement may have been made by Puyroche, an assembler (établisseur in the wording of that time) from Geneva who signed one of its components.
These mechanisms are also integrated into other types of boxes, often decorated with rows of pearls. A seven-movement shield shaped piece was sold for CHF 750K including premium by Christie's on May 9, 2010. Made around 1820, a snuff box animated by the riddles of a magician was sold for CHF 1.2M including premium by Sotheby's on June 8, 2016.
On July 14 in London, Sotheby's sells a snuff box 8.4 cm wide that conceals several surprises. It is estimated £ 500K, lot 27. It had been sold in the same auction room on November 9, 2000 for £ 640K including premium over a lower estimate of £ 120K.
It has the shape of a small book whose front cover decorated with a leopard opens to display a Temple of Music. The triggering of the movement opens the central door of the temple, activating the performance of a musician before the back of the stage slides to reveal a sanctuary with a flaming altar.
The spine of the book is divided into four sections. The two middle parts open together to make a storage compartment for a key. The upper and lower sections hide respectively a watch and a vinaigrette, which was used by the ladies to sniff a perfume to avoid fainting.
The case was made by Sené et Neisser, two jewelers who were associated between 1805 and 1808 in Geneva. The terminus post quem of its specific maker's mark is 1807. The movement may have been made by Puyroche, an assembler (établisseur in the wording of that time) from Geneva who signed one of its components.
1808 A Jewelled Domino Box
2017 SOLD for CHF 415K including premium
On May 15 in Geneva, Christie's sells a luxurious musical and domino box, lot 127 estimated CHF 300K.
This 18 karat gold box is decorated with enamels and pearls including the four seasons displayed by facetious cupids. It is accompanied by its original complete set of 28 dominos also in 18K gold with the face in royal blue enamel, the dots in fine pearls and the back in scarlet enamel.
The case is signed MB et C. Born in Geneva, Jean-François Bautte enjoyed an exceptional career in the luxury craft. He had begun as an apprentice trained as a case fitter, goldsmith, watchmaker, jeweller and guilloché maker. After creating his first models he joined forces with two businessmen, Moulinié in 1793 and Moynier in 1804.
Their business was named Moulinié, Bautte et Compagnie abbreviated as MB et C in 1804, becoming Moulinié, Bautte et Moynier in 1808. This development of the brand allows the dating of the domino box in this short intermediate period and is consistent with an inscription dated 1808 on the musical mechanism.
The exceptional provenance of this unique box is marked by two old auctions.
In 1834 it is offered in the deceased estate sale of Thomas Weeks who had held in London an important museum of curiosities. It is probable that the box had not met a customer in the Chinese import market in recession since the death of the Qianlong emperor and had joined in London the collections of pieces manufactured by Cox and Maillardet.
The name of its winning bidder at the Weeks sale is Russell. The correlation with the future Duchess of Bedford, who will soon be a confidante of Queen Victoria, is seductive.
The box returns to auction at Christie's in 1974, sold by a direct descendant of Queen Victoria. The domino plays of the young queen with prince consort Albert are documented in her own diaries. It seems highly probable that the Geneva box had belonged to Her Majesty.
Please watch the video shared by Christie's :
This 18 karat gold box is decorated with enamels and pearls including the four seasons displayed by facetious cupids. It is accompanied by its original complete set of 28 dominos also in 18K gold with the face in royal blue enamel, the dots in fine pearls and the back in scarlet enamel.
The case is signed MB et C. Born in Geneva, Jean-François Bautte enjoyed an exceptional career in the luxury craft. He had begun as an apprentice trained as a case fitter, goldsmith, watchmaker, jeweller and guilloché maker. After creating his first models he joined forces with two businessmen, Moulinié in 1793 and Moynier in 1804.
Their business was named Moulinié, Bautte et Compagnie abbreviated as MB et C in 1804, becoming Moulinié, Bautte et Moynier in 1808. This development of the brand allows the dating of the domino box in this short intermediate period and is consistent with an inscription dated 1808 on the musical mechanism.
The exceptional provenance of this unique box is marked by two old auctions.
In 1834 it is offered in the deceased estate sale of Thomas Weeks who had held in London an important museum of curiosities. It is probable that the box had not met a customer in the Chinese import market in recession since the death of the Qianlong emperor and had joined in London the collections of pieces manufactured by Cox and Maillardet.
The name of its winning bidder at the Weeks sale is Russell. The correlation with the future Duchess of Bedford, who will soon be a confidante of Queen Victoria, is seductive.
The box returns to auction at Christie's in 1974, sold by a direct descendant of Queen Victoria. The domino plays of the young queen with prince consort Albert are documented in her own diaries. It seems highly probable that the Geneva box had belonged to Her Majesty.
Please watch the video shared by Christie's :
#Exceptionnel : jeu de dominos en or, émail et perles dans une boîte à musique ayant appartenu à la #ReineVictoria https://t.co/mhbedzsif0 pic.twitter.com/yHz10hkpVa
— Christie's Paris (@christiesparis) April 20, 2017
1811 The Menagerie of Maillardet
2010 SOLD 405 KCHF including premium
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
Jaquet-Droz was the engineer of the magic and the magician of the mechanics. Without hope that a major work of this genius appears in the market, it is always exciting to discuss the accomplishments of his colleagues and followers. We recently met in this group the singing birds of Rochat brothers. Now let us introduce the menagerie of Maillardet.
Former collaborator of Jaquet-Droz, Henri Maillardet had settled in London. In 1805, he produced automata writers.In 1811, he organized an exhibition of his menagerie of automata, which included caterpillars, lizards, mice, and probably many other animated creatures.
The caterpillar consists of eleven contiguous rings. The head looks up and begins an undulating movement of the body. This model is particularly suitable to be set with precious stones.
On November 14 in Geneva, Sotheby's sells a caterpillar of the model attributed to Maillardet, in red enamel decorated with pearls, rubies, turquoises, emeralds and diamonds, in its original leather presentation box 7 cm long.This small ambulant jewelry is estimated CHF 350K.
Back to our mechanician. The press release and Wikipedia tell a wonderful story: in 1928, an automaton writer of unknown origin was presented to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Once repaired and restarted, the robot wrote these words: "écrit par l'automate de Maillardet".
POST SALE COMMENT
Despite the exceptional rarity of the piece, the estimate was well targeted. Result: CHF 405K including premium.
Later discussion with video shared on Vimeo : Daily Mail December 27, 2012 :
Jaquet-Droz was the engineer of the magic and the magician of the mechanics. Without hope that a major work of this genius appears in the market, it is always exciting to discuss the accomplishments of his colleagues and followers. We recently met in this group the singing birds of Rochat brothers. Now let us introduce the menagerie of Maillardet.
Former collaborator of Jaquet-Droz, Henri Maillardet had settled in London. In 1805, he produced automata writers.In 1811, he organized an exhibition of his menagerie of automata, which included caterpillars, lizards, mice, and probably many other animated creatures.
The caterpillar consists of eleven contiguous rings. The head looks up and begins an undulating movement of the body. This model is particularly suitable to be set with precious stones.
On November 14 in Geneva, Sotheby's sells a caterpillar of the model attributed to Maillardet, in red enamel decorated with pearls, rubies, turquoises, emeralds and diamonds, in its original leather presentation box 7 cm long.This small ambulant jewelry is estimated CHF 350K.
Back to our mechanician. The press release and Wikipedia tell a wonderful story: in 1928, an automaton writer of unknown origin was presented to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Once repaired and restarted, the robot wrote these words: "écrit par l'automate de Maillardet".
POST SALE COMMENT
Despite the exceptional rarity of the piece, the estimate was well targeted. Result: CHF 405K including premium.
Later discussion with video shared on Vimeo : Daily Mail December 27, 2012 :
1820 The Singing Birds of Geneva
2011 SOLD 45.5 MHK$ including premium
Geneva got an important place in art history for its jewelry and its precision mechanical crafts. The pair of singing birds created circa 1820, attributed to Frères Rochat, for sale by Christie's in Hong Kong on May 30, is exceptional.
These automata are pistol shaped and their barrels house the hundreds of mechanical components. The decor is exquisite and the materials are precious: gold, enamel, agate, pearl, diamond. They are shown on the release shared by Artdaily.
When the trigger is pulled, the colorful bird leaves at the end of the barrel, turns, opens and closes its wings and beak, sings. After such a work, it returns home.
They are in exceptional condition, as demonstrated by a video on the website of Christie's. Singing bird pistol automaton are very rare, and these are the only remaining specimens that have been kept as a pair. The auction house admits that it is difficult to predict the price of such an absolutely unique lot, and advances a very open estimate range: HK $ 20 to 40M.
POST SALE COMMENT
The prices of lots that are unique of their kind have no limit. Excellent result for this one: HK $ 45.5 million including premium.
I invite you to play the video shared on the web by Christie's :
These automata are pistol shaped and their barrels house the hundreds of mechanical components. The decor is exquisite and the materials are precious: gold, enamel, agate, pearl, diamond. They are shown on the release shared by Artdaily.
When the trigger is pulled, the colorful bird leaves at the end of the barrel, turns, opens and closes its wings and beak, sings. After such a work, it returns home.
They are in exceptional condition, as demonstrated by a video on the website of Christie's. Singing bird pistol automaton are very rare, and these are the only remaining specimens that have been kept as a pair. The auction house admits that it is difficult to predict the price of such an absolutely unique lot, and advances a very open estimate range: HK $ 20 to 40M.
POST SALE COMMENT
The prices of lots that are unique of their kind have no limit. Excellent result for this one: HK $ 45.5 million including premium.
I invite you to play the video shared on the web by Christie's :
1820 Questions for a Magician
2016 SOLD for $ 1.2M including premium
The Swiss automatons amaze us with their mechanical ingenuity. Some charm us with their puzzles. The case of a writer realized around 1800 is famous : once repaired in 1928, this previously anonymous instrument records on its own page: "Ecrit par l'automate de Maillardet".
The magician answers to riddles or performs transformations or escapes. In the former type, the user inserts a tablet in a slot. This action starts the animation and the music which will end after the answer appears on the other side of the picture. These magician boxes are a specialty and maybe even an exclusivity of the brand of Piguet et Meylan.
On June 8 in New York, Sotheby's sells a gold and enamel snuff box concealing an automaton with a magician and a musician. This piece that had belonged to the collection of King Farouk is estimated $ 1.5M, lot 81.
As always, its make had required some specialized craftsmen. The study of punches allows to date it around 1820. The gold work is signed by Chénevard et Jouvet.
This box in perfect condition keeps for its questions five double-sided tablets that are differentiated by the position of an off-centered hole. A tablet is asking "Qui t'a créé ?" When the wand of the magician ceases to oscillate, the automaton responds in a window previously hidden in a tree : "CH Oudin".
The magician box does not however offer the same mystery as the writer of Maillardet : its gild brass movement is inscribed "Chas. Oudin, 52 Palais Royal, Paris" on a backplate.
Charles Oudin was one of the best assistants to Breguet for whom he worked on the mechanism of the equation of time and on the tactile watch before establishing his own business. Its participation in the mechanics of an automaton demonstrates an unexpected encounter between the followers of the two most brilliant mechanical engineers of all time, Jaquet-Droz and Breguet. The magician does not provide the answer to this riddle.
The animation of the magician is demonstrated in the video shared by Sotheby's to announce the sale :
The magician answers to riddles or performs transformations or escapes. In the former type, the user inserts a tablet in a slot. This action starts the animation and the music which will end after the answer appears on the other side of the picture. These magician boxes are a specialty and maybe even an exclusivity of the brand of Piguet et Meylan.
On June 8 in New York, Sotheby's sells a gold and enamel snuff box concealing an automaton with a magician and a musician. This piece that had belonged to the collection of King Farouk is estimated $ 1.5M, lot 81.
As always, its make had required some specialized craftsmen. The study of punches allows to date it around 1820. The gold work is signed by Chénevard et Jouvet.
This box in perfect condition keeps for its questions five double-sided tablets that are differentiated by the position of an off-centered hole. A tablet is asking "Qui t'a créé ?" When the wand of the magician ceases to oscillate, the automaton responds in a window previously hidden in a tree : "CH Oudin".
The magician box does not however offer the same mystery as the writer of Maillardet : its gild brass movement is inscribed "Chas. Oudin, 52 Palais Royal, Paris" on a backplate.
Charles Oudin was one of the best assistants to Breguet for whom he worked on the mechanism of the equation of time and on the tactile watch before establishing his own business. Its participation in the mechanics of an automaton demonstrates an unexpected encounter between the followers of the two most brilliant mechanical engineers of all time, Jaquet-Droz and Breguet. The magician does not provide the answer to this riddle.
The animation of the magician is demonstrated in the video shared by Sotheby's to announce the sale :
#AuctionUpdate: A true Swiss Mechanical Marvel: the King Farouk Magician Box sells for $1,210,000 #SothebysWatches pic.twitter.com/YK1WGKmpPC
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) June 8, 2016
