95th Auction
2017/5/6
Lot 145
Breguet, 28 Place Vendome, Paris, Case No. 2198, 96 x 59 x 36 mm, circa 1955
A highly decorative and rare singing bird box sold to Monsieur Esteban Gay on December 27, 1955; includes original presentation box with key, from Breguet, 28, Place Vendôme, Paris
Case: copper, gilt. Automaton mechanism: Bontems, Paris, rectangular gilt brass movement, going barrel, rectangular bellows.
Top and sides of the rectangular box with rounded corners are decorated with chased flowers, vases, cornucopias and foliage in high relief. The top is fitted with an oval, hinged lid decorated with a trophy vase with flowers that opens to reveal the singing bird before an open-work gilt brass grille decorated with floral engraving. A slide on the front activates the automaton and the colourful bird rotates, flaps its wings and tail and open its beak. When the song is finished, the bird retreats into the box and the lid closes.
The Breguet company archives state that this "coffret métal ciselé et doré avec oiseau chanteur" no. B2198 was created in 1955 and purchased in the same year, on December 27, by Mr. Esteban Gay; the price for which it was sold is not known.
This is a striking example of a singing bird box bearing the signature Breguet and rare to appear on the market. Research has shown that the famous company produced less than 30 of these musical boxes - most of them were made on special order for a particular, wealthy client.
There are two periods in time when these boxes - which came in two different sizes - were made in series: from the mid-1930s to the 1940s and then again from the mid-1950s to the 1960s. This box is the smaller version and comes without the additional drawer the larger boxes are fitted with.
The illustrious house Bontems of Paris delivered the movements for these singing bird boxes; the masterpieces by Bontems were celebrated for the sweet authenticity of the bird song and of course for the excellent craftsmanship of the mechanics. The Bontems family often showed their superb creations at international exhibitions and were regularly awarded prizes. For greater detail on the house Bontems, see "Flights of Fancy - Mechanical Singing Birds" by Sharon and Christian Bailly, pp. 305-347, which also has several illustrations of their work.
A highly decorative and rare singing bird box sold to Monsieur Esteban Gay on December 27, 1955; includes original presentation box with key, from Breguet, 28, Place Vendôme, Paris
Case: copper, gilt. Automaton mechanism: Bontems, Paris, rectangular gilt brass movement, going barrel, rectangular bellows.
Top and sides of the rectangular box with rounded corners are decorated with chased flowers, vases, cornucopias and foliage in high relief. The top is fitted with an oval, hinged lid decorated with a trophy vase with flowers that opens to reveal the singing bird before an open-work gilt brass grille decorated with floral engraving. A slide on the front activates the automaton and the colourful bird rotates, flaps its wings and tail and open its beak. When the song is finished, the bird retreats into the box and the lid closes.
The Breguet company archives state that this "coffret métal ciselé et doré avec oiseau chanteur" no. B2198 was created in 1955 and purchased in the same year, on December 27, by Mr. Esteban Gay; the price for which it was sold is not known.
This is a striking example of a singing bird box bearing the signature Breguet and rare to appear on the market. Research has shown that the famous company produced less than 30 of these musical boxes - most of them were made on special order for a particular, wealthy client.
There are two periods in time when these boxes - which came in two different sizes - were made in series: from the mid-1930s to the 1940s and then again from the mid-1950s to the 1960s. This box is the smaller version and comes without the additional drawer the larger boxes are fitted with.
The illustrious house Bontems of Paris delivered the movements for these singing bird boxes; the masterpieces by Bontems were celebrated for the sweet authenticity of the bird song and of course for the excellent craftsmanship of the mechanics. The Bontems family often showed their superb creations at international exhibitions and were regularly awarded prizes. For greater detail on the house Bontems, see "Flights of Fancy - Mechanical Singing Birds" by Sharon and Christian Bailly, pp. 305-347, which also has several illustrations of their work.
estimated
26.000—35.000 €
Price realized
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