French Singing Bird Box Automaton
This charming French bird box is housed in a lovely brass case embellished with sunburst medallions on guilloché backgrounds and delicate leaf and bud borders. The lid atop depicts lovers in a playful embrace amidst a rural setting with a dove and fowl looking on. Lift the lid, and a colorful little bird emerges from the box to sing a sweet tune while perched upon a filigree platform. He turns to and fro, singing cheerfully and moving his beak, wings, and tail feathers.
Singing bird boxes were among the most challenging automata to execute in their day. The mechanics for this box include bellows, sliding whistles, and a complex animation clockwork. All are masterfully handcrafted into a compact space to bring this wonderful automaton to life on demand. Further, this piece has undergone a complete restoration and carries a one-year warranty.
Bird boxes are avidly collected automata pieces, prized for their fine artistry, advanced mechanics, and infinite charm.
1 3/4″H x 4″W x 2 1/2″D
Circa 1900