GUSTAVE TROUVE ET CADET PICART - A 750 ‰ gold tie pin featur - Lot 232

GUSTAVE TROUVE ET CADET PICART - A 750 ‰ gold tie pin featuring an enameled skull in shades of cream, brown and black, mobile rose-cut diamond eyes and articulated jaw. Slightly missing enamel. Circa 1867. Presented in a Tiffany & Co. silk case. Slight deformation of the stem Total height approx. 9.4 cm Gross weight 9 g Note: This rare skull pin belongs to a series of electric jewelry pieces designed by the brilliant inventor Gustave Trouvé and manufactured by the jeweler Auguste-Germain Cadet-Picard. In 1865, Trouvé patented a battery capable of animating brooches with miniature mechanisms. These included a skull rolling its eyes, musical monkeys and Harlequin and Columbine dancing an electric ballet. Once attached to the tie, the pin was activated by a battery concealed in the wearer's pocket, triggering general surprise. Presented at the 1867 World's Fair, these miniature marvels were noticed. Today, their rarity makes them collector's items, like the one in London's V&A Museum.