This phenomenal bird box operates with a rare and complex fusée movement. With the push of a lever, the mechanism opens to reveal a brightly colored bird who sings a charming tune. The silver gilt case is adorned with exquisite rocaille decorations of putti musicians, fruit and masks. Bird boxes in such excellent condition as this are a marvel of engineering and craftsmanship, and highly sought by collectors. Stamped with the maker's mark and the German sterling 800 mark.

4" wide x 3 ¼" deep x 1 ½" high

Circa 1888

The singing-bird box was first made in the Swiss city of Geneva just before the close of the 18th century by horologist and automatist Pierre Jaquet-Droz. Once the playthings of aristocracy, these wo