An antique large single singing bird in cage, by Bontems,
French, circa 1900,
When wound and the start/stop lever actuated, the real taxidermed and perched bird springs to life by chirping his beak and turning his head naturalistically, perfectly synchronised to the continuous birdsong.
The fine bird is in predominantly parakeet green with layered tones of gold, turquoise and grey, with natural legs and black glass eyes. He perches upon the T form brass perch and above the dark green velvet covered base.
The the slender square domed cage has a canted corner profile with hoop and boss top. It has a leaf-cast intermediate band and a repeating deep scroll and baullé cast base band, also corner bars of double twist construction and a door to the cage.
Set on a very stylish gilded wood square base, with a moulded top with matching canted corners and a plain angled moulded base with the side and corner panels bearing gilt metal appliqués of bosses and a central floral head and trail crests. All set on small bun feet.
The start/stop and winding hole are to the right-hand side.
size - 22in. high, 10in. square - (56 x 25.5 x 25.5cm)
Point of Interest -
A very untouched example of how a large antique singing bird in cage by Bontems should be when looked after for many years.
The bird especially is delightful, with the deep bright green hue creating a striking glow behind the bars of the cage. The birdsong crisp and natural, the cage and base colour ideal for placing within your interior as the ultimate finishing touch.
With Bontems, the look is as good as the sound. Savour the time to explore this gem of a singing bird cage, fully running still after many years of appreciative service.