Singing bird box in blond tortoiseshell and enamel. Outstanding tortoiseshell case with hinged recess to back of case for key or snuff. The enamel lid with beautifully painted Alpine scene to the top and to the underside is painted a bouquet of flowers on a blue ground. The case and movement by Bontems, France and late 19th century. The bird with fine feathering and beak. On sliding the operating lever the lid opens and the full bodied bird pops through the grille & begins singing. It has a moving ivory beak, the bird turns, flaps his wings and tail and after his performance pops down through the grille & the lid lowers. Bontems, France circa 1890. 4 inches wide by 2.5 inches deep by 1.5 inches high ( 10 cm by 6.25 cm by 3.75 cm).