Items with musical mechanism and automaton

Singing bird snuffbox

    Singing bird snuffbox

    Switzerland, Geneve

    first half of the 20th century

    Bruguier, Charles-Abraham (The Senior)

    Guilt metal, brass, steel, painted birds' feathers; gilding, parfling, chasing, polishing, engraving, painted enamel

    3.3 х 9.4 х 6.35 cm, 283 gr

    On the movement: "C. BRUGUIER GENEVE”; number "545”

    further...

    Tortoiseshell snuffbox with a singing bird, encrusted with gold-plated metal in the form of garlands of flowers and leaves in surrounded by stars and circles. An oval aperture bordered with gilded chased frame is in the center of the top panel. A hinged lid with enamel landscape in chased frame - a view of Geneva lake and Lullin-de Saussure villa in the foreground. An enamel flower bouquet on a purple background in the frame on the lid inner surface. A compartment for snuff tobacco with an opening down lid is on the rear side. A keyhole for winding the movement and four screws' heads are on the bottom side. A sliding lever for winding the bird is in the corner of the front panel. During the movement operation the oval lid opens automatically and a tiny bird in painted feathers appears. It spins, flaps its wings and tail, turns the head, opens and closes the beak; the sound movement imitates bird's chirping. On completion of the extraordinary long work of the movement, the bird hides and the lid descends. The bird's movement with a spring drive, the winding key with a curly grip and the bar with a square cross-section aperture.

    minimize...

    Инв.2663/ДПИ