Antique Tortoiseshell singing bird box, most probably by Bontems

A antique tortoiseshell and composition singing bird box, by Bontems,
 
Circa 1880,
 
Going-barrel movement,
 
Serial number 247,
 
A bright flash of turquoise...
 
When wound and the start/stop slide moved to the right, the bird emerges proudly through finely pressed and pierced gilded grille and then moves bone beak, wings, tailfeather and body from side-to-side to continuous synchronised birdsong.
The bird with layered feathered plumage in brown-oban, gold and turquoise, banded iridescent highlights in green and red, matt polished lid interior in streaked anomaly tortoiseshell and part composition case with gilt lid top finely engraved with a pair of birds on flowering branch, arched point-and-star tooled border, hidden key compartment to rear.
 
3.7/8in. wide, 2.1/4in. deep, 1.1/2in. high - (9.8 x 7.4 x 3.8cm)
 
Point of interest -
 
The use of both composition and tortoiseshell for cases was quite common.  The composition would comprise mostly tortoiseshell and to many, is nicknamed the first plastic produced.  In real terms, composition comprises smaller loose material bound together with melted tortoiseshell and structural compounds.  Not always produced towards the end of the company history, this movement type and serial number shows this left the premises in the middle of the second batch run.

 

STOCK No1712
AVAILABILITYIn stock
PRICE£5,450.00
Contact us about this item
Email this to a friend
Antique Tortoiseshell singing bird box, most probably by Bontems
Antique Tortoiseshell singing bird box, most probably by BontemsAntique Tortoiseshell singing bird box, most probably by BontemsAntique Tortoiseshell singing bird box, most probably by BontemsAntique Tortoiseshell singing bird box, most probably by BontemsAntique Tortoiseshell singing bird box, most probably by BontemsAntique Tortoiseshell singing bird box, most probably by BontemsAntique Tortoiseshell singing bird box, most probably by BontemsAntique Tortoiseshell singing bird box, most probably by Bontems
 
Other Items Which May Interest You
 
 
A highly desirable and fine antique gilt metal and silver-gilt Palais Royale musical necessaireAntique Walking bear automaton by Roullet DescampsSilver-gilt and painted porcelain-bossed singing bird box, by B. F. of GermanyAntique Composition tortoiseshell and gilt metal singing bird boxVintage Art-Nouveau silver gilt, cloisonné enamel and garnet-set singing bird boxAntique Silver-gilt and mottled green agate mounted musical harpAntique Tortoiseshell and mother-of-pearl inlaid singing bird boxPalais Royal musical double inkwell, modeled as an early Venetian gondolaSilver-gilt and pictorial enamel Memento Mori singing bird box, by Karl Griesbaum
 
 
75 Portobello Road London W11 2QB 0207 221 1121 07967 385258
Sign up to our mailing list
Contact usAbout usBuying from usHow do Singing Birds work LAPADA Member CINOA Member