| An unusual late 19th Century French music box with automata and singing bird. Lever wound going barrel musical mechanism with 150 mm long brass cylinder. Brass lever to start the mechanism which will stop at the end of the tune if the lever is returned to its original position or will play until the mainspring runs down if left. Steel pins acting on a single comb of 57
tignes secured by five screws. Brass train with two leaf adjustable fly. The box plays four tunes which change automatically in sequence. By moving the second of the brass levers the same tune can be selected permanently. At the rear of the musical mechanism are two bisque dolls in elaborate silk and lace dresses with attractively plaited hair. As the music plays the dolls rotate to the left and right and rise and fall. Between them a silver mounted papier-mache singing bird box painted with scenes on the lid and sides.
Opening the lid reveals a decorated oval lid. Moving a brass pull at the side of the bird box causes the oval lid to open and the bird to hinge into an upright position. It starts its song, rotates left and right, flaps its wings, rotates its head and open and closes its beak. After 10 seconds the song comes to the end of its cycle, the bird folds back into the case and the lid closes. The bird covered in iridescent humming bird feathers. Wound from the back of the main box with a fixed key the small bellows mechanism provides air to a
variable whistle operated by a system of cams and levers. Fine brass bound and strung rosewood box lined with red velvet. Brass piano hinge, concealed drop hinges and full length lock. Decorative flush brass handles to the sides and a cartouche on the lid engraved with a monogram. A brass strung and rosewood mirror in the lid can be removed and stood on its brass easel or hung from a hook.
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