Description

A late 19^th Century French automated singing bird in a polished horn box.  Brass going barrel movement keywound through the base. Small bellows and piston mechanism provides air to a variable whistle to mimic birdsong operated by a system of cams and levers.   The bird covered with multi-coloured feathered plumage, iridescent highlights to bib and wings.  Moving the gilt lateral slide on the front of the box causes the oval lid to open and the bird to hinge into an upright position, rising through chased and pierced gilt grille.  While playing the automated bird moves its bone beak, flaps its wings and moves from side-to-side, synchronised to the continuous birdsong.  Polished horn box, a compartment at the back with a hinged horn lid.  Oval gilt hinged cover to the bird engraved with a bird in a foliate engraved border.