Pierre Jaquet Droz

Songbird box in gold enamel and pearls Jaquet Droz Leschot Geneva circa 1805.
Songbird box in gold enamel and pearls Jaquet Droz Leschot Geneva. circa 1805.

The famous Swiss mechanic Pierre Jaquet-Droz (1721-1790) became famous for his interior animated clocks with singing birds and fountains, music boxes with singing birds and android automatons, mechanical toys and devices imitating the movements of people and animals. He founded the Jaquet Droz company, which to this day specializes in the production of exquisite luxury mechanicals.

In 1738, Pierre Jaquet-Droz opened his first manufactory, Jaquet-Droz & Leschot, in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Subsequently, together with his son Henri-Louis Jaquet-Droz (1752-1791) and companion Jean-Frederic Leschot (1746-1824), they opened two more workshops – in London (1774) and Geneva (1784), where they invited the best masters of their time. The company exported sophisticated automata through the East India Company in London to China, where they were highly valued as gifts for the Emperor and his entourage. Thus began the history of one of the most prestigious watch brands.

Portrait of Pierre Jaquet Droz by Emmanuel Witz 1758.
Portrait of Pierre Jaquet Droz by Emmanuel Witz 1758.

The most famous automatons of the company were: a writing boy, a girl playing the organ, and a drawing boy. Thanks to his creations, Pierre and his creations were presented to the royal courts of Europe, Russia and China. At the same time, the creation of automatons was only a way to attract the attention of noble people to sell watches.

Automatons can be considered the first robots. They were so skillfully executed that wherever they were shown, they always made a sensation. Today automatons can be seen in the Museum of History and Art in Neuchâtel (Switzerland).

Unique Neuchatel pendulum clock in Louis XIV style signed by Pierre Jaquet Droz in La Chaux de Fonds. 1740.
Unique Neuchatel pendulum clock in Louis XIV style signed by Pierre Jaquet Droz in La Chaux de Fonds. 1740.

Today, the Jaquet Droz company can order the Calligraph automaton, up to 80 cm tall. The production of the toy will take a little less than a year, depending on what face, torso and dress, makeup, hairstyle and pose the client wishes to see. The company creates new models of automatons even today to demonstrate the skill of the company’s watchmakers and show the continuity of traditions that are almost 300 years old.

Automaton Lady Musician Jaquet Droz Leschot.
Automaton Lady Musician Jaquet Droz Leschot.
The musician girl can play five tunes written by Henri Louis Jaquet Droz.
The musician girl can play five tunes written by Henri Louis Jaquet Droz.

The Jaquet-Droz dynasty became famous in the 18th century not only for automatons, but also for the amazing variety of their creations: unusual watches and snuff boxes with mechanical songbirds became the most popular products of the company.

Pierre Jaquet-Droz, who also loved to listen to the gentle trills of canaries, began to decorate table and pocket watches, snuff boxes, vases and cages with figures of songbirds. They were real miniature automatons, equipped with a system of whistles and cylindrical pistons that reproduced the marvelous singing of birds.

Automaton Artist Jaquet Droz Leschot.
Automaton Artist Jaquet Droz Leschot.
The Loving Butterfly Automaton based on a drawing drawn by the Artists automaton created in 1774.
The Loving Butterfly Automaton based on a drawing drawn by the Artists automaton created in 1774.
The Parrot Repeater automaton watch adorned with precious stones was released in a single copy for the 280th anniversary of the Jaquet Droz company.
The Parrot Repeater automaton watch adorned with precious stones was released in a single copy for the 280th anniversary of the Jaquet Droz company.
The THE BIRD REPEATER watch plays out a whole theatrical production of 8 animated scenes.
The THE BIRD REPEATER watch plays out a whole theatrical production of 8 animated scenes.
Automatic watch in gold and enamel set with rubies and pearls in Louis XVI style. The back cover is decorated with a medallion with a relief image of a miniature ivory landscape.
Automatic watch in gold and enamel set with rubies and pearls in Louis XVI style. The back cover is decorated with a medallion with a relief image of a miniature ivory landscape.
Hanging cage with two mechanical songbirds Jaquet Droz circa 1780. There is a 12 jet fountain in the center of the cage.
Hanging cage with two mechanical songbirds Jaquet Droz circa 1780. There is a 12 jet fountain in the center of the cage.
In the center of the cage there is a fountain made of spiral glass imitating a waterfall. Two birds with elaborately colored feathers sit on metal perches.
In the center of the cage there is a fountain made of spiral glass imitating a waterfall. Two birds with elaborately colored feathers sit on metal perches.
Hanging cage clock in gilded brass and enamel with two mechanical songbirds 30 cm high Jaquet Droz circa 1770 1780
Hanging cage clock in gilded brass and enamel with two mechanical songbirds 30 cm high Jaquet Droz circa 1770-1780.
Snuffbox with songbird in silver and gold with floral motif in champleve enamel Jaquet Droz London.
Snuffbox with songbird in silver and gold with floral motif in champleve enamel Jaquet Droz London.
Josephine musical snuffbox with double lid in gold with blue enamel and diamonds Jaquet Droz London circa 1790.
Josephine musical snuffbox with double lid in gold with blue enamel and diamonds Jaquet Droz London, circa 1790.
Table clock in the form of an amphora made of gold and enamel with pearls. Spring loaded case back decorated with miniature on enamel depicting a pair of lovers circa 1790.
Table clock in the form of an amphora made of gold and enamel with pearls. Spring loaded case back decorated with miniature on enamel depicting a pair of lovers. circa 1790.
Clock bottle in gold entirely covered with translucent pink enamel decorated with garlands of flowers and ribbons with musical mechanism and clock circa 1790.
Clock bottle in gold entirely covered with translucent pink enamel decorated with garlands of flowers and ribbons with musical mechanism and clock, 1790.
Pocket watch in gold and enamel decorated with rubies and pearls Jaquet Droz. 1785
Pocket watch in gold and enamel decorated with rubies and pearls. 1785ю
Serinet bottle watch in gold with enamel and pearls with songbird height 16 cm Jaquet Droz Leschot and FRISARD circa 1786 1787.
Serinet bottle watch in gold with enamel and pearls with songbird height 16 cm Jaquet Droz Leschot and FRISARD circa 1786-1787.
Unique songbird vase in gold and enamel by Jaquet Droz circa 1780. An amazing mechanism drives the figurines to act out a scene in the bosom of nature.
Unique songbird vase in gold and enamel by Jaquet Droz circa 1780. An amazing mechanism drives the figurines to act out a scene in the bosom of nature.
Automaton Wizard.
Automaton Wizard.
Automaton Calligrapher Jaquet Droz Leschot.
Automaton Calligrapher Jaquet Droz Leschot.
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