Retailed by Klein of Paris,

 

My flying writing campanion...

 

When wound and actuated by lifting either the left, right or indeed both inkwell lids, the butterfly gently opens and closes wings whilst accompanied by music, quickly stopping when lids are closed.

With cylinder musical movement playing two airs, mounted beneath cast gilt bronze case of standing flower-seller girl with basket of roses upon which rests a butterfly with moving wings, double cut glass inkwells each with hinged crabpot lids with music and automaton actuation when either lid opened, sweep naturalistic swags to shaped base, scroll toes.

 

7.1/2in. high, 7.1/2in, wide - (19 x 19cm)

 

Point of interest -

 

This is something fun and different.  Produced at the height of the Art Noveau period, an important time for style and naturalistic beauty, it proves that automatons do not need to be overly large or too obvious to be worthy of appropriate attention.  Here, the operator not only admires the movement with music, it has a genuine function - if you will, a personal automaton for a one-to-one use, on the gentleman's desk.