This very attractive timepiece epitomizes the work of the celebrated Jaquet Droz et Leschot, the appeal enhanced by the rare addition of a date indication.

The finely painted enamel miniature depicts Erato, one of the Muses in Greek mythology, inspirational goddesses of literature, science, and the arts.

Erato is the Muse of love poetry. In the Orphic hymn to the Muses, it is Erato who charms the sight. Since the Renaissance she has mostly been shown with a wreath of myrtle and roses, holding a lyre, or a small kithara, a musical instrument often associated with Apollo.

Jaquet Droz et Leschot
Pierre Jaquet Droz, born in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1721, was one of the most brilliant and innovative watchmakers of his era, specializing in musical and automaton watches and clocks, boxes, fans, singing birds and other ingenious playing-toys. His astonishing creations fascinated nobility, kings and emperors of the world, most notably in China. Pierre Jaquet Droz travelled widely, notably in England, France and Spain. In Madrid he was condemned to death by the Inquisition for allegedly practicing black magic but was saved by the Bishop of Toledo.

His second son, Henri-Louis, was born on 13 October 1752. At a young age, the talented child was sent to Nancy in order to study music, science, mathematics, physics and drawing. Upon his return in 1769, He Henri-Louis joined his father's workshop together with Jean-Frédéric Leschot (1764-1824), Pierre's adoptive son. The extremely successful partnership between the three men resulted in the production of the most extraordinary singing bird boxes, automaton watches and other timepieces. When Pierre Jaquet Droz grew old the firm was taken over Henri-Louis and Jean-Frédéric Leschot who changed the name to Jaquet Droz et Leschot and continued after Pierre's death in 1790