Circa 1880,

 

So convincingly real, this bird will confuse many...

 

When wound and actuated by start/stop lever from side, the naturalistic bird with black, brown, red and white feathered plumage, moves natural beak, turns head and tailfeather to brisk demi-paused sequential birdsong.

Perched upon tree stump, natural rocky mount of ferns, moss and autumnal leaves, under circular domed cage with hoop and boss top, cage door to side and of part twist bars, to waisted gilt gesso base with wide fluted incised decoration above shell and scroll frieze.

 

21in. high - (53.3cm)

 

Point of interest -

 

Antique automatons like this which use real bird body forms with retained feathers are always sought after.  They do today what they did on day one; pure natural birdsong and movement with a few clicks of the spring - delightful.