France, Paris

Circa 1880

Bontems, Blaise

Porcelain, fabric, feathers, metal, paper; painting, mechanical work, gluing

40 х 40 х 55 cm, 5 kg

The Automaton is realized in the form of a mechanical bird in the midst of artificial flowers. The bouquet of flowers is placed in wide porcelain jardinière decorated with painted scene of romantic couple discovered in sylvan landscape by a rival who covers her eyes. With lower gilt rim and shell feet. The bouquet is comprised of a variety of flowers made from glued and water colored fabric. The flowers and leaves are fixed on wire stems. Some elements are dry plants. A bird perched on a green wire branch is in the center. The figurine of the bird is covered with natural brown feathers of several shades. The bird's eyes are made of black glass and its beak is made from ivory. The automaton mechanism with spring-loaded key-operated motor is mounted inside the vase. The keyhole is at the bottom of the vase side surface, the thumb trigger is on the vase bottom side. The bird moves when the mechanism is switched on. The head turns from side to side, the beak opens and closes, the tail rises and falls. The action is accompanied by bird trills played by musical movement that is comprised of a whistle with going barrel and bellows. The sounds are produced coordinated with the movements of the beak and tail. This is because a single cam-operated motor controls all of the bird’s movements. Winding key is in the set.