Jaquet Droz Magic Lotus Automaton

A mother-of-pearl button at 3 o’clock symbolizes the unopened Lotus bud. In relief upon a corolla of gold petals, it evokes the first season: spring. To its left, a Lotus flower in full bloom symbolizes summer. This simple miniature incorporates a number of Jaquet Droz decorative techniques.

The petals are carved from mother-of-pearl, and finished with a thin coat of translucent paint that accentuates the relief. At its heart a yellow sapphire with gold prongs represents the pistil and stamens, poised to fly away and give life in turn to new Lotus flowers. By its side, a Lotus flower fallen onto the water represents the third season, fall, carried away by the current.

Finally, winter is marked at 6 o’clock by the seed pod of the aquatic plant. In this season the pod sinks to the bottom of the water to be naturally buried, thus protecting the precious seeds that will foster new Lotus flowers the following spring. Jaquet Droz sets the pod with seven diamonds that represent the seeds –visible symbols of the life glittering within.