Singing Birds

Cage with two singing birds

    Cage with two singing birds

    France, Paris

    Circa 1880

    Bontems, Blaise

    Gilded bronze, fabric, steel, brass, wood, leather, painted feathers; mechanical and carpentry work, gilding

    48 x 23 x 23 cm

    further...

    Cage is made of straight and spiralled metal rods, with dome and a golden color suspension in the upper part. The cage is mounted on wooden base with the profiled socle with foliage golden color embossed ornament, on four supports. Bird with bright painted yellow feathers stands on the base top panel; next to it is metal rack with crossbar decorated with ivy leaves  is next to it. A bird in red and black plumage with long tail sitting on it. Cam mechanism with bellows, small piccolo pipe and spring drive is inside the base. The winding crank is on the right side. When the mechanism is winded and activated, the birds in turn chirrup, open and close their beaks, turn their heads and move the tails.

    minimize...

    Инв.1746.1-2ММП/ДПИ