Singing bird automaton Rochat, fusee movement, silver gilt and enamel number 258.

Singing bird automaton Rochat, fusee movement, silver gilt and enamel number 258.
A fine and very early numbered Rochat box in superbly engraved silver and blue enamel with applied gold floral mounts to the top corners. The movement is signed with the “three tulip” mark and numbered 258 on both the top and bottom plate of the movement. Rochat numbering is more problematic than that of Bruguier but this dates to about 1819. This is borne out by the many similarities this case has to the Bruguier # 24 in so far as they are virtually identical in size and both have the same shell and fern decoration just under the top of the box. The enamelling is continued on all sides and also on the base. The grille is typical of Rochat work. The lid has a fine painting of a country scene. The movement is in excellent order. The box has a leather travelling case. The bird box is key wound from beneath and when the start slide is pressed to the right the lid lifts, the bird pops up and starts to sing and at the same time turning to left and right, flaps his wings, opens and shuts his ivory beak and allows his head to turn from side to side. When he completes after about 15 seconds he pops down beneath the grill and the lid closes. Swiss circa 1819. The box is quite small 3.5 inches wide by 2.25 inches deep and 1.25 inches high ( 87 cms by 56 cms by 31 cms).

Stock Number: 4167

Origin: Swiss

Price: SOLD

Availability: SOLD

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