Swiss Singing Bird Boxes: Antique Automaton Masterpieces

Discover the enchanting world of Swiss singing bird boxes at M.S. Rau, where 18th and 19th-century automaton masterpieces showcase the pinnacle of mechanical artistry. Our collection features authentic Swiss singing bird boxes, originally invented in Geneva in 1784/85 by Pierre Jaquet-Droz, representing centuries of horological and artistic innovation.

The Swiss Masters: Rochat, Bruguier and Bontems

The earliest and finest singing bird boxes were crafted in Geneva by legendary makers including Frères Rochat, Charles Abraham Bruguier and Pierre Jaquet-Droz. Frères Rochat produced superb boxes until around 1849, while Charles Abraham Bruguier revolutionized the art by improving whistle sound quality and extending performance length to 30 seconds. Later, French clockmaker Blaise Bontems founded his firm in 1849 and became regarded as the father of the modern singing bird box.

Mechanical Marvel: Understanding the Fusée Movement

The earliest bird boxes, dating from approximately 1785 until about 1865, were powered by a fusée movement that combined a flat mainstay barrel with a conical, or fusée barrel. The complexity and number of cams has a large impact on value, with movements composed of over 350 parts in the finest examples. These intricate mechanisms control both the melodious birdsong and lifelike movements including wing flapping, beak opening, and head turning.

Investment-Grade Swiss Automatons

M.S. Rau specializes in museum-quality singing bird boxes featuring:

• Original fusée movements with extended 30-second performances
• Authentic tortoiseshell, gold, and silver cases with enamel decoration
• Verified provenance from renowned Swiss workshops
• Real feathered birds with iridescent plumage

Authentic Swiss Craftsmanship at M.S. Rau

Each piece in our gallery has been hand-selected and carefully vetted for authenticity, condition and provenance. Our Swiss singing bird box collection includes works by Charles Bruguier, Frères Rochat, and other celebrated Geneva craftsmen. Visit our 40,000 square foot New Orleans gallery on Royal Street or browse our authenticated collection online at MSRau.com.

These extraordinary 18th and 19th-century Swiss automatons represent the intersection of horological precision, artistic beauty, and mechanical ingenuity - timeless treasures that continue to captivate collectors worldwide.