CHARLES ABRAHAM BRUGIER. A FINE GILT METAL DOUBLE SINGING AUTOMATON BIRD CAGE WITH WATCH

THE PROPERTY OF A PRIVATE COLLECTOR

Details

CHARLES ABRAHAM BRUGIER. A FINE GILT METAL DOUBLE SINGING AUTOMATON BIRD CAGE WITH WATCH
makers punch, circa 1825

The watch with cylinder movement, the white enamel dial with Roman numerals,
the octagonal singing bird automaton movement with brass plates, turned pillars, fusee with chain, circular bellow, cams for wings and turning of the birds,
the case is constructed of gilt metal, octagonal base with winged lion mask animal feet, the lower section containing the movement, decorative freize, raised floral panels on each angle with levers to operate silence, strike and manual, eight round columns with corinthian capitals, finely pierced and chased wire work, pierced and chased floral dome surmounted by an acorn and ring carrying handle,
the two similar feathered birds supported on bars, with the upper bar holding a flower and stalk of corn, operated at will, turning on their axis, flapping their wings, turning their heads opening their beaks and moving their necks, signed on the automaton movement- 30.5cm high

Lot Essay

Charles-Abraham Brugier was born in Geneva in 1788. Throughout his early professional life he concentrated on automata working for a number of different manufacturers. He then set up business on his own in Geneva. Brugier was able to master the technique of re-creating "Bird-Song", far greater than his more notable predecessors, Jaquet-Droz and Les Freres Rochat. His workshops were passed down to his two sons and later to his grandson. Bird cages of this era are very rare with only perhaps six known to be made in gold and a similar number in gilt metal.

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