• Width:
  4 Inches
• Height:
  1 1/2 Inches
• Depth:
  3 1/4 Inches

This phenomenal bird box is both a technical and artisty triumph. 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" highCirca 1888The 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 wonderful boxes continue to delight. Known as a tabatière in France (from the French word for tobacco, for they resemble tobacco or snuff boxes), each box conceals a hand-feathered miniature bird. In this case, this delightful piece is a tabatière both in form and function.