April Ancient Art & Paintings & Collectibles
Lot 101:
Description
Name
PICARD-LION (GENEVA, SWITZERLAND) MUSIC BOX WITH BRASS MOVEMENT
Dimensions
Era: Late 19th centuryStyle: Charles X styleMaterial: Mahogany, precious wood, ebony, brassDimensions: 18 ?? 46 ?? 25 cmPlace of Origin: Picard-Lion Music Box Workshop, Geneva, SwitzerlandDescription: This Charles X-style Swiss Geneva Picard-Lion music box with a brass movement, dating back to a distant era, features precise craftsmanship and an elegant, refined design. The rectangular outer case is made of precious mahogany, inlaid and embellished with ebony and other precious woods. At the center of the external lid, there is a hand-inlaid pattern of iris flowers crafted by master furniture artisans using precious woods, symbolizing purity, beauty, and happiness.Opening the lid reveals a lithograph of musical cherubs, on which the titles of eight famous arias (8 AIRS) are written in English cursive calligraphy, such as "Only to see her face again." The box body houses a sophisticated brass toothed roller, a manual winding lever, eight tune dials, a manual shift lever with English instructions, and a glass dust cover. The eight arias in the music box are all cheerful and wonderful sounds of nature, each playing for an extended period.King Charles X of France (1757-1836) had a very short reign of only six years, serving as the second king of the restored Bourbon Dynasty in France. During his reign, due to the revolutionary upheavals in French politics, the national treasury was severely depleted. Thus, he advocated frugality: in court furniture and home decor, he abandoned the extravagance of the previous dynasty, rarely using gilded brass for decoration, and opted for simple linear designs instead. Fine wood inlays replaced the precious inlays of tortoiseshell, brass, mother-of-pearl, etc., from the previous era. This decorative style was preserved even after his abdication, known in history as the Charles X style.Mahogany, originating from the South American continent, was a product of European powers?? colonial rule and plunder of natural resources in their colonies. It was the preferred high-grade wood for royal and aristocratic court furniture and household items in Europe. A type of hardwood similar to Chinese rosewood, it is hard yet lightweight, with a softer color tone. More suitable for carving and crafting curved furniture and decorative items than rosewood, it offers unique advantages in artisanal creation.
Condition
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The provenance of each piece is provided by its most recent owner and may not always be supported by documented historical records. In many cases, provenance consists of written accounts based on verbal transmission. Some pieces may have undergone minor cleaning, conservation, or preservation.
All paintings offered in this auction are described as "in the artist’s style" or "attributed to." These terms indicate that the works are not included in the official catalogue raisonn?? of the named artist and may have been created by the artist, a member of their studio, or another artist working in a similar style; the exact origin is unknown. Some pieces may include certificates issued by independent appraisers.
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