Austrian

 

circa 1920

 

A princely box of passion and love...

 

When wound and the start/stop knob pulled to actuate, the bird lid opens as bird appears, moving polished metal beak, both wings flapping, tailfeather bobbing and entire body moving from side-to-side to the pacey and charming continuous birdsong. 

The bird with excellent layered plumage, base of dark brown and green, woven with the clear iridescent streaks of lime green, grass green, yellow and vivid bands of red, rising up through the chased and pierced gilt grille of rich colour, matt gilt lid interior. 

 

In the magnificent gilt bronze case with relief of Rococo C scrolls and berries to surround, main lid edge and each panel frame, complimenting delightfully the chased branch and leaf work seen to canted lid edge and corners.  Bird lid with deep slight-domed profiled painted enamel study of two lovers seated in woodland, holding a bird which has been removed from open cage, flanked by twin crescent panels inset to case of a lady with floral wreath to left, a prancing prince to the right.  The front and back enamel studies of two more lovers enjoying the embrace of love in the outdoors, the smaller side panels with studies of two further couples showing affection, whilst being watched by a silent concealed onlooker.

Plain underside, stamped to one edge AUSTRIA.  Slight plinth base to matt finish.

 

Size -  4.1/4in. wide, 3in. deep, 2.1/4in. high - (11 x 7.5 x 5.7cm)

 

Point of Interest - 

 

The construction method of this surviving masterpiece is quite bizarre - almost over-engineered.  It would help to explain perhaps how it has lasted so long without damage and would be assisted by its own stead in coping with survival into the future.  

Each of the enamel panels, so perfectly executed, are held into place not by the usual twist corner frame seen on most German boxes, but by perfectly fitted bars placed behind to spread the tension, then held in place by tapered pins, machined to fit behind the bars and feeding through the frame of the case without any detection of the cross-section at point of entry.  With the main lid removed, it is not easily seen how this is done without specific inspection.  

Then the twin crescent panels to the main lid are held tightly into place with a multitude of bar-twists which make up the internal frame - many more than would be normally sufficient.  These panels are going nowhere and they have been placed with acute precision.

 

Look out for the concealed watchers, gazing at the lovers embracing on each of the side panels.  There is surprise at every turn with this box and quality just not usually seen.   

Absolutely fantastic.