Pair of Singing Bird Pistols from 1820 - sold for $5.9M

[vintage_tube]

Just amazing when one considers these were made in 1820 no less.

At a Christies auction in Hong Kong last year (May 2011) these sold for $5,866,499.00 in a fierce, but gentleman like bidding war lasting for 10 minutes.

The only publicly known matching pair in the world.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGZRWk51_fU&feature=share]LiveLeak.com - Singing Bird Pistols! Very Cool.flv - YouTube[/ame]

Here is a cleared view of one pistol and the front barrel area:



Happy New Years Folks,

Bob

[MyPal]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

Just amazing when one considers these were made in 1820 no less.

At a Christies auction in Hong Kong last year (May 2011) these sold for $5,866,499.00 in a fierce, but gentleman like bidding war lasting for 10 minutes.

The only publicly known matching pair in the world.

Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGZRWk51_fU&feature=share

Here is a cleared view of one pistol and the front barrel area:

Happy New Years Folks,

Bob

I know nothing about this, but they sure look beautiful. They look French commissioned for the Crown or aristocracy?

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by MyPal

I know nothing about this, but they sure look beautiful. They look French commissioned for the Crown or aristocracy?

Steve, the mechanical movement is what astonishes me for that time period. From what the 'net' provides:

"A stunning marriage of 19th century Swiss automata technology and exquisite craftsmanship, this pair of singing bird pistols epitomizes the creativity of watch makers in Europe to satisfy the ever-growing demands for clocks and automata by the Imperial court and its courtiers in China, as well as European aristocrats and royal families, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries. Barely a handful of single singing bird pistols are known in the entire world and they are found in the world’s most prestigious museums and private collections. One single pistol is found in the Museum for Islamic Art in Jerusalem which houses the Sir David Salomons Magnificent Collection of Clocks and Watches. Another single pistol is recorded in the Maurice Sandoz Collection in Switzerland. The Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva, Switzerland owns two single pistols, one of which was purchased at Christie’s in 1989."

More:

HISTORY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Ever since the late 16th century, when the Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci brought the first clocks to the Middle Kingdom, Chinese emperors were enamoured of these precious objects for the following three hundred years.

Not only were they fascinated by the ability of these clocks to strike time, their appeal also laid largely in the extravagant and precious embellishments of the pieces with costly gems, diamonds and pearls, as well as in the functions of music, bells and mechanized automated features.

These objects rapidly became valuable commodities and status symbols, accessible solely to the members of the ruling class.

European powers saw this infatuation as their chance to gain access to the highest reaches of the Chinese court by selecting clocks or watches as tributes or gifts.

To satisfy the Chinese market, master goldsmiths, enamellers and technicians, from England, France and Switzerland respectively, combined their skills and artistry to manufacture increasingly lavish and whimsical timepieces and objects of fantasy in all guises.

The present pair (in video above) is attributed to Frères Rochat, three brothers who worked in Geneva, Switzerland from 1800 to 1835.

They were most famous for perfecting the highly complex singing bird mechanism and placing it in cages, mirrors and even pistols.

The ingenuity of these pistols is beyond description:

Each pistol features a bird that shots out of the double barrels, pivots, moves its wings and tail, and opens its beak to sing and then disappears again.

With the spectacular combination of sumptuously decorated cases and exceedingly intricate movements,

These matching pistols are the perfect example of such coveted decorative objects made for discerning dignitaries and royalty in China and Europe.



Happy New Years Folks,

Bob

[MyPal]

Thank you....interesting read Bob.

[Haurock]

Oooohh... very pretty...

and....

just as Deadly...

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Haurock

and....just as Deadly...

Happy New Years Folks

Bob

[Josquin des Prez]

Wonder how they will fare in a government handgun buyback program.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by RaceTripper

Wonder how they will fare in a government handgun buyback program.

[Haurock]

next time I should watch the video... I actually thought they fired bullets... oh well...

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Haurock

next time I should watch the video... I actually thought they fired bullets... oh well...

Happy New Years Folks,

Bob