A good tortoiseshell singing bird box, by Bontems,
circa 1890,
with going-barrel movement, the bird with layered feathered plumage in green, dark brown, electric blue and turquoise hues, red and green iridescent highlights, moving beak, wings and tailfeather to continuous birdsong, rising through finely pierced and tooled gilt grille, plain polished lid interior, in plain tortoiseshell case with the lid top engraved with fan urn and floral swags, matching gilt start/stop button to front-right, key compartment at rear, with key, in period maroon leather travelling case - 4in. (10cm) wide
with going-barrel movement, the bird with layered feathered plumage in green, dark brown, electric blue and turquoise hues, red and green iridescent highlights, moving beak, wings and tailfeather to continuous birdsong, rising through finely pierced and tooled gilt grille, plain polished lid interior, in plain tortoiseshell case with the lid top engraved with fan urn and floral swags, matching gilt start/stop button to front-right, key compartment at rear, with key, in period maroon leather travelling case - 4in. (10cm) wide
Sold for
£3,500
inc. premium
Category: Collectibles / Mechanical Music
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Scientific Instruments