Silver Mounted Horn Singing Bird Box

A late 19^th Century French automated singing bird in a silver mounted 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 silver lateral slide on the front of the box causes the engraved 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.  Unusual box with panels of polished horn on the top and all four sides secured within a frame of engraved and engine turned silver mounts.  Plain silver base marked "Sterling".  Slide to actuate the mechanism in the form of a cast silver bird.