Fine Bruguier fusee singing bird box in silver gilt and enamel.

The box with movement and box signed and numbered Ch. Bruguier a Geneve 165. Fine quality, shaped case with enamel is fine condition. Decorated to all sides and the bottom with beautifully engraved cameos of trailing flowers. The top of the case decorated with deep engraving with swirling enamelled decoration and posies of flowers to the corners. Around the lid a silver bezel decorated in the Greek Key patern and a further cast bezel holding the lid itself composed of shells and flowers in deep relief. The enamel to the top of the lid with a typical Bruguier alpine scene with a town overlooking a lake and the Alps in the background. The underside of the lid decorated in enamel with an apple green ground and a large bouquet of beautifully painted flowers. The bird is in excellent condition, fully working and silver gilt grille is beautifully engraved and pierced. The key wound chain driven fusee movement working the bellows & driving multiple cams that on sliding the operating lever to the front, the lid opens and the bird pops up and 1/ opens & shuts the bone beak, 2/ turns its head from left to right, 3/ flaps the wings and finally 4/ pirouettes left and right. On completion of his performance he drops through the superbly pierced silver gilt grille and the lid closes after him.

Charles Bruguier, Geneva

Swiss circa 1835-40.

3.75 inches wide 2.5 inches deep and 1.25 inches high ( 9.375 cms by 6.25 cms by 3.125 cms).