Silver and Enamel Singing Bird Box

A late 19^th Century French automated singing bird in an unusual repousse silver and enamel 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.  Pulling the silver bead to the right causes the oval lid to open and the bird to hinge into an upright position, rising through pierced and engraved silvered grille.  While playing the automated bird moves its bone beak, flaps its wings and moves from side-to-side, synchronised to the continuous birdsong.  Large rectangular silver box with canted corners.  The domed top and base decorated in chased and engraved repousse work.  Cast silver oval lid with central mask.  The sides of the box of blue stove enamelled panels.