German

Mid 20th century

 

Captured in perfect miniature...

When wound and drawer to base at the front pulled fully out to actuate, the perched bird within the cage springs to life by flapping both wings, opening and closing polished metal beak and bobbing tailfeather to the continuous synchronised birdsong, stopping when drawer is fully pushed closed prior to the final stage of the performance.

The bird with a multitude of colour in the feathered plumage, of yellow, red, black, cream and brown with strong flashes of green iridescence, on stem perch with the outer covering of leafy trunk in gilt metal, the base interior of plain polished gilt brass panel with pierced petal formation with red velvet back-covering for sound escape, under rectangular domed cage with wide corner bars, shaped and moulded boss top with folding hoop.  Cage access door on hinge opening at the front.

The base with very good detailed raised decoration with two pairs of love birds embracing amongst the most complex matrix of scrolling leaves, berries and flowers seen to front and back, the sides with a fan vase of flowers over-spilling onto shells, drawer front with matching frieze which continues to the full surround of the moulded convex shaped edge, all on three-point clawed bird feet supports.  Drawer opening to reveal the winding spindle, period bird-form key with longer stem for spindle reach.

Size - 4.1/4in. wide, 7.1/2in. high, 3in. deep - (11 x 19 x 7.5cm)

Point of Interest - 

Miniature singing birds in cages are always admired.  Not just for their size, but the interesting detail shown at this scale.  The bird being the same size as a standard post-1880 bird box, the cage in scale summands up the complex detail one would expect to see.  
The drawer-start feature is a very rare and interesting one.  No detail lost in the issuing of a slide or pull-grip through the side of the cage, the first thing which may stump the viewer is how it starts.  The only reveal of an opening compartment is this drawer, so by pulling it out to investigate, the bird suddenly performs, surprising the unsuspecting yet inquisitive viewer to a real treat.  

Big surprises can come in small yet perfectly wrapped packages...