Objects with musical mechanism and automaton

Singing bird box with clock

    Singing bird box with clock

    Switzerland, Geneve

    The 19th century

    A. Moilliet & Cie.

    Silver, steel, brass, tortoise shell, painted feathers; gilding, chasing, engraving, painted enamel

    3.3 х 9.6 х 6.3 cm, 362 gr

    On the clock dial: "A. Moilliet & Cie "

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    Tortoiseshell box with a singing bird and a clock decorated with an enamel painted image and chased ornament. An oval aperture is in the center of the top panel. It is bordered with a chased frame of gilded silver with lotus leaves. A hinged lid with painted enamel image of palaces on the beach on the external surface covers the aperture. The lid is mirror-polished inside. A compartment for snuff tobacco with a closing bottom lid is on the rear side of the box. A keyhole for winding the clock movement and six fixing screws' heads are on the bottom panel. Clock with the glazed hinged lid and chased ornament is in the centre of the front panel. White enamel dial with Arabic numerals and inscription is under the lid. A sliding lever for the bird's movement activating is on the right top. When the movement is switched on, 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, the bird hides the lid descends. The bird with a spring driven movement, wnding key grip is in the form of an arrow feathering and a bar with a square cross-section aperture.

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