A beautiful gilt metal and painted ivory panel singing bird box, by C. H. Marguerat,

 

Swiss, circa 1925

 

Serial number 755

 

Going-barrel movement

 

Strolling through the Garden of Eden, two lovers take their place...

 

When wound with folding captive key and start/stop pull actuated, the finely painted enamel bird lid opens to reveal the bird moving painted metal beak, flapping both wings, bobbing tailfeather and turning whole body from side-to-side perfectly synchronised to the continuous birdsong, coming to an end when the bird suddenly disappears from view and the lid closes to finish the performance.

 

The bird with delicately layered feathered plumage in dark brown, turquoise, red and yellow, balanced carefully with subtle plum and scarlet red iridescent highlights, reflective green eyes, rising through the masterful seamless pierced and chased gilt metal grille with a complex array of Rococo C scrolls and swags, lid interior with a painted enamel study of roses pansies and a single grande daisy on turquoise ground with superb circular engine turned texture beneath.

 

In the trademark gilt metal cast and tooled frame case with the bird lid top featuring the known and much admired painted enamel study of two young lovers seated below a tree by a meadow brook with town in the distance and reeds amongst the rocks. 

Surmounted by inset panel very delicately painted with trees and urn sur-le standes within a glorious informal garden, wide tree canopy above the still water of the dew pond, the front panel with a fawn by the watering hole being presented with a flower garland by a blue ribbon-clad Putti, with wide country-reaching views beyond, scene concluded to verso with the Putti returning to his twin announcing the good news of her acceptance at the foot of the walled garden which meets the lakeside edge, the sides with the reaching views featuring close detailed studies of a mountain and yew tree.

 

Underside with the captive folding winding key, serial number clearly stamped above SWISS, and the whole engine turned with repeated circular matrix. 

 

Point of interest -

 

Stock number 1418 from Douglas Fisher is another C. H. Marguerat, executed to the similar frame design as this piece.  That box is serial number 770 and just 15 numbers away from this extraordinary singing bird box.  It has been noted that Marguerat boxes from about number 730 onwards were produced as special commissions either for on behalf of highly respected retailers.  Much the same as Nicole Frerés 'batched' serial numbers for type formats, Marguerat apparently did the same for their wares, but making sure that each commission was individual. 

With a rare opportunity to compare two of these superb commission-boxes side by side in the same place, there are differences - the watch, the use of start/stop rod instead of slide.  But such is the quality and detail of execution, one has to look carefully to spot them.

 

The painted ivory panels will take your breath away for their tonal beauty.  Soft hue variants blend majestically to recreate the day, all protected by the original buffed-edged glass which sits directly in front of each study. 

Miniature paintings on ivory was the norm in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Marguerat have once again proved that the use of this important material was the most suited solution to make this piece perfect. 

It almost glows with colour and has great presence.