Antique gilt metal and pictorial enamel singing bird box, by Bontems

A splendid and rare antique gilt metal and pictorial enamel singing bird box, by Bontems
 
French
 
circa 1880
 
On the terrace to be enrobed in birdsong...
 
When wound and the start/stop button slid to the right, the bird lid opens as the bird appears, moving polished gilt metal beak, flapping both wings, bobbing tailfeather and turning entire body from side-to-side perfectly synchronised to the continuous birdsong, popping down as the lid closes to finish the performance.
 
The bird with feathered plumage in hues of soft brown, turquoise, dark green, midnight blue and bushy bright red flashes, bands of iridescence in green and gold, rising up through the wide pierced and chased gilt grille with bird-form centrum void, lid interior with magnificently and highly polished gilt finish for the full bird reflection, bird lid top with the amazing famous pictorial enamel scene of three ladies conversing on the terrace at the side of a large lakeside villa, with the borders brimming with mature flowers and shrubs, massive stone urn on stand cornering the balustrade before the steps disappear from view towards the perfectly landscaped vista below, the eye catching a glimpse of a bridge spanning the lake, and to the right, a circular columned folly creeps into view.
 
In the richly toned gilt metal case to the familiar pattern, with rounded double indent corner profiles, main lid with outstanding geometrically engraved slender branch scrolls with pollen-laden trumpeted flowers all emanating from stylised lyres, crossed scrolls to top and bottom-most edges, the whole framed with delicate single engraved encasement, the front, sides and back with the matching tooled work, all with the full attention to shading and three-dimensional persuasion, paired scrolls in branch form, with open flower heads and leaves completing the ensemble, plain underside, hidden key compartment to rear and start/stop with stepped centre located front-right.
     
 
Reference -
Flights of Fancy, C. Bailly, see p. 312 for the double bird version in identical case with the identical pictorial enamel bird lid.
 
Point of Interest -
 
This rare example by Bontems is one of their 'golden models', made to touch upon the best memories from the likes of Bruguier.  Although not a fusee-driven movement, the appeal and the quality of the chasing of the case, the detail shown on the enamel study and the extra attention given to the chasing on the case, are more in-tune with the delights and skill of those fabulous early 19th century singing bird boxes.
 
Bontems made this model containing either the single bird, or a double bird.  You may see the double example in the publication listed above.  Take a closer look at the work of Bontems with this extraordinary singing bird box.  
The very best beauty in all its glory.
Not to be confused with the later work of Flajoulot, who used a similar case pattern, this first-run Bontems example is the centrepoint to any singing bird box collector who wishes to explore the wonders of what's left of this makers' best surviving examples. 
 
The very best beauty in all its glory. 
STOCK No1579
AVAILABILITYIn stock
PRICE£6,450.00
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Antique gilt metal and pictorial enamel singing bird box, by Bontems
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Antique gilt metal and pictorial enamel singing bird box, by BontemsAntique gilt metal and pictorial enamel singing bird box, by BontemsAntique gilt metal and pictorial enamel singing bird box, by BontemsAntique gilt metal and pictorial enamel singing bird box, by BontemsAntique gilt metal and pictorial enamel singing bird box, by BontemsAntique gilt metal and pictorial enamel singing bird box, by BontemsAntique gilt metal and pictorial enamel singing bird box, by BontemsAntique gilt metal and pictorial enamel singing bird box, by BontemsAntique gilt metal and pictorial enamel singing bird box, by BontemsAntique gilt metal and pictorial enamel singing bird box, by BontemsAntique gilt metal and pictorial enamel singing bird box, by BontemsAntique gilt metal and pictorial enamel singing bird box, by Bontems
 
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75 Portobello Road London W11 2QB 0207 221 1121 07967 385258
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