Freres Rochat Gold Bird Box

About the Item

Freres Rochat Gold Bird Box This stunning gold box was created by Frères Rochat circa 1820. At first glance, it may seem like a well-crafted, beautifully designed snuff box with a pearl floral motif on top. However, it holds a hidden surprise - a technical marvel of a singing, rotating bird! The button on the rim opens up the lid to reveal the intricately crafted bird that sings and rotates. It's a wonder how the complex mechanical mechanisms fit into such a small space. This antique box is truly extraordinary and a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the Rochat brothers. About Freres Rochat: Frères Rochat is a Swiss company that was founded in the early 19th century by Antoine and Samuel Rochat, two brothers who came from a long line of skilled watchmakers. The company quickly gained a reputation for producing some of the finest mechanical timepieces and automata of the time, including singing bird boxes, which they became particularly renowned for. The Rochat brothers' innovative designs and engineering prowess made them highly sought after by wealthy collectors and royalty alike. They were commissioned to create bespoke pieces for many high-profile clients, including Napoleon Bonaparte and the Russian Tsar, Alexander I. In the mid-19th century, Frères Rochat was taken over by another watchmaking family, the Favres, who continued to produce exquisite automata and timepieces in the same tradition. The company continued to flourish, with many of their creations being displayed in museums around the world. Today, Frères Rochat is still regarded as one of the foremost names in luxury watchmaking and mechanical automata. Their antique singing bird boxes are highly prized by collectors and connoisseurs, and the company continues to produce exceptional timepieces and other mechanical creations to this day. About Bird Boxes: Gold musical bird boxes are a type of mechanical music box that was first created in Switzerland in the late 18th century. They were usually made of precious metals, such as gold or silver, and featured intricate designs and ornate engravings. The boxes were typically small and compact, but contained complex mechanical workings that allowed them to produce the sound of birds singing and chirping. The birds were often crafted from finely detailed feathers and would move and rotate while singing, creating a lifelike effect. These musical bird boxes quickly became popular among the wealthy and were considered luxury items. They were often given as gifts to royalty and other important figures, and many were created as one-of-a-kind pieces for wealthy collectors. Today, antique gold musical bird boxes are highly sought after by collectors and can fetch high prices at auction. They continue to be appreciated for their intricate craftsmanship and unique musical capabilities, making them a fascinating piece of history and art.

Metal:

Gold,Yellow Gold

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Stone Cut:

Place of Origin:

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Date of Manufacture:

1820