Antique early-19th Century Exceptional Swiss 18k gold & enamel music box, of elegant rectangular form, in the shape of an envelope, featuring convex front and rear sides. The cover and base are adorned with rectangular panels of translucent blue enamel over an engine-turned ground, framed by foliate taille d'épargne borders. The cover is further enhanced with an overlapping lyre-shaped, matted gold panel mimicking an envelope flap, intricately stamped with trailing foliage and embellished with split pearls and a central turquoise. The box incorporates a concealed musical movement, wound by a key and activated by a lever discreetly located at the rear. Hallmarked by renowned goldsmith GR for Jean-Georges Rémond, Geneva, and bears additional prestige marks, reflecting its superior craftsmanship and provenance. Numbered 949, the movement playing a tune, with original key, Movement attributed to Piguet & Capt, Isaac-Daniel Piguet (1775-1841) was born in Le Chenit (Vaud) and is said to have moved to Geneva before 1800. He entered into partnership with his brother-in-law Henri Capt, another mécanicien, on 10 February 1802. The firm was active for a short period from 1802 to 1811. Piguet & Capt, however, were the first to make objects that combined automata and music for use in luxury objects, such as snuff boxes, jewelry, and watches.

CONDITION:
In Great Condition - Wear expected with age. Please refer to photographs.

SIZE:
Height: 1.2 cm // 0.47 in
Width: 6.6 cm // 2.60 in
Depth: 4.8 cm // 1.89 in
Weight: 119.2 g