A very good silver singing bird box, by Karl Griesbaum,

Circa 1930,

model number 1

Going-barrel movement

A flight of silver fancy...

When wound and bird-form start/stop button in relief is moved to the right, the bird emerges through pierced and chased gilt grille of close-hoop scrolls, moving metal beak, wings and body from side-to-side to the continuous synchronised birdsong.

The bird with subtlety-layered feathered plumage in predominant tones of green and blue, small beautiful mauve iridescent highlights, ripple-polished lid interior for bird reflection, in the classic model number 1 case with serpentine front and straight rear profile, the bird lid with large boss-feathered bird rising from twin scrolled horns with flower garland tops, main lid with four birds-in-flight against very complex and geometric vane swag matrix raised on matt petit-point dot ground, repeated to all sides including underside, where an oval field of nesting birds rest beneath a flowering tree branch, hidden key compartment at rear.

4in. wide, 2.3/4in. deep, 1.5/8in. high - (10.2 x 7 x 4.2cm)

Point of interest -

The Karl Griesbaum number 1 box is a firm favourite of many.  Purely perhaps as this being his first catalogue number modeled a popular design profile - the serpentine - the silverwork is a real delight.  A simple but highly effective use of a matt indent against the polished relief makes for an eye catching case using just one material.  Presented correctly, Griesbaum never disappoints.