Antique Tortoiseshell singing bird box by Bontems


 

An early antique tortoiseshell singing bird box, by Bontems,
 
Circa 1870,
 
Going barrel movement,
 
The colourful bird reflects his plumage in the lid...
 
When wound and the start/stop slide is moved to the right, the bird suddenly emerges through square-tooled Rococo scroll gilt grille then moves bone beak, wings, tailfeather and body from side-to-side to continuous synchronised birdsong.
The bird with banded feathered plumage in streaked turquoise, dark blue, orange and green, good purple and red iridescent highlights, highly polished lid interior for full bird reflection, twin laurel leaf engraved border and the lid top with a tri-gilt metal incised study of a pond-stalking crane beneath reeds, in polished half underbelly-cut tortoiseshell case with many light anomalies for movement glimpse, hidden key compartment to rear.
 
3.1/4in. wide, 2.1/2in. deep, 1.7/16in. high - (9.5 x 6.4 x 6.3cm)
 
Point of interest -
 
The case-maker has been very clever with the planning of this box.  With most lighter areas of tortoiseshell, it was a case of pot-luck which parts of the movement one saw when everything was put together.  With this example, the lightest areas cover the parts of the movement which move the quickest, so that the glimpse is supported by real movement features to get one close to the action.

 

STOCK No1331
AVAILABILITYSold
PRICESold
Antique Tortoiseshell singing bird box by Bontems
Click here for 360° view
Antique Tortoiseshell singing bird box by BontemsAntique Tortoiseshell singing bird box by BontemsAntique Tortoiseshell singing bird box by BontemsAntique Tortoiseshell singing bird box by BontemsAntique Tortoiseshell singing bird box by BontemsAntique Tortoiseshell singing bird box by BontemsAntique Tortoiseshell singing bird box by BontemsAntique Tortoiseshell singing bird box by Bontems
 
Other Items Which May Interest You
 
 
Antique Walking bear automaton by Roullet DescampsSilver-gilt and painted porcelain-bossed singing bird box, by B. F. of GermanyAntique Tortoiseshell and mother-of-pearl inlaid singing bird boxSterling silver gilt, pictorial and enamel singing bird box with timepiece, movement by C. H. MargueratAntique Composition tortoiseshell and gilt metal singing bird boxAn exceptional silver and full pictorial enamel singing bird box, by Karl Griesbaum, Model 7, circa 1930Antique Pictorial enamel and underbelly-cut tortoiseshell singing bird boxAntique Gilt metal and enamel singing bird box, by John MangerA highly desirable and fine antique gilt metal and silver-gilt Palais Royale musical necessaire