A good antique composition tortoiseshell and gilt metal singing bird box,

German

circa 1900

Going-barrel movement

Setting the birds free...

When wound and the start/stop button slide moved to the right, the bird emerges through finely tooled and chased gilt grille,  moving metal beak, wings, tailfeather and body from side-to-side to rapid continuous synchronised birdsong.

The bird with chevron banded feathered plumage in purple, black and plenty of green iridescency, the lid interior highly polished for full bird reflection, swag and ribbon-tie freize border, the lid top with pair of Putti in relief releasing a caged bird within shaped frame, in plain polished composition tortoiseshell case with hidden key compartment to rear.

3.7/8in. wide, 3in, deep, 1.1/2in. high - (9.7 x 7.6 x 3.8cm)

Point of interest -

Putti were used a great deal with most German makers of singing bird box, with most examples covering the cases of boxes made of silver.  They are usually seen dancing, playing musical instruments or hanging up swags of flowers.  Here, our Putti is seen, beautifully executed in relief against gilt ground, releasing a captive bird out of a cage in a flowering garden.