This exceptional Jaquet Droz Singing Bird Scent Flask was sold for $2.53 million at Sotheby’s watch auction in New York, establishing a new record for a Jaquet Droz antique piece. Created for the Chinese market by Pierre Jaquet Droz & Leschot in 1786 the automaton features an articulated ivory bird measuring just 12mm tall and a highly intricate, miniature organ to replicate the bird’s song. The magnificent scent flask is covered in enamel and rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds, centred by a recessed medallion with a magnificent scene that showcases varicolored gold sculpture representing a branch with leaves with the singing bird automaton perched atop. What do you think of this automaton?
