Singing bird box
Singing bird box
Switzerland
circa 1825
FRÉRES ROCHAT
Silver, brass, steel, enamel, feathers,leathercloth, velvet, fabric (satin); engraving, casting, presswork, champlevé enamel, painted enamel
3.9 х 9.65 х 6 сm, 437 gr
Swiss silver marks: a cock running to the left, number "3" in horizontal lozenge; the second mark is illegible. Engraving on the front panel bottom “Finnicans London”. On the mark inside the case cover: “FINNICANS LTD, MAKERS, NEW BOND ST. W.”
Snuffbox with a singing bird in silver rectangular case with rounded vertical ribs, with engraving. Blue transparent enamel field with floral ornamentation, ribbons, quivers with arrows and torches in the frame of blue champlevé enamel are on the top side. An oval aperture in a polished frame is in the top panel center. It is closed with a hinged lid that is decorated with an enamel alpine landscape with a castle near the lake, sailing boats and a tree in the foreground. Painted enamel landscape with a sailing boat, lake and mountain peaks in the background is on the lid inner side. A relief floral ornament in the form of garlands of branches, flowers and leaves is on the lateral sides. A polished compartment for tobacco with rectangular lid that opens upwards is on the rear side. There are hallmarks on its welt. An engraved medallion, an aperture for the bird's movement winding and hallmarks are on the bottom smooth panel. The movement on/off lever and the engraving "Finnicans London" are on the front panel. When the movement is switched on, the oval lid opens; a miniature bird in the painted feathers of brown, red, green and yellow colours appears. It turns on the spot, flaps its wings, opens and closes the beak. The sound mechanism imitates bird’s chirping. At the end of the program, the bird is hidden in the groove in the openwork gilded lattice and the lid is closed.
The snuffbox is stored in the case covered with brown artificial leather with a button; the inner bottom side of the case is covered with purple velvet, the lid - with beige satin with an illegible hallmark. A winding key with a curved grip and a rod with a square cross section channel.
Инв. 3244/ДПИ