A antique tortoiseshell singing bird box, by Bontems
Circa 1890,
Going-barrel movement,
Motor-view light anomaly...
When wound and start/stop slide moved to the right, the bird appears suddenly through square tooled pierced gilt grille, then preparing to sing he moves bone beak, wings and body from side-to-side to complex continuous synchronised birdsong.
The bird with light brown feathered plumage, overall iridescent highlights in green, red and orange, matt polished lid interior, the lid top with two love birds flying before flowering branch incised to the silver gilt ground, laurel leaf border, in plain polished tortoiseshell case, hidden key compartment at rear, start/stop button to front-right.
3.3/4in. wide, 2.5/8in. deep, 1.3/8in. high - (9.5 x 6.6 x 3.5cm)
Point of interest -
This antique model is very popular for collectors to purchase and at Douglas Fisher, you should always find at least one example. Should anyone be considering to purchase two to make a pair, we will be happy to advise which two to choose to make that perfect pair. What better way of showing love to another than recreating the pair of love birds to the lid in real life - one box each.