A stunning and very fine gilt bronze and Sevres plaque single singing bird-in-cage, by Bontems,

French

circa 1880

Going-barrel movement,

One of the most perfect singing bird cages in the world...

When wound with the key and start/stop lever actuated, the large and perfectly perched taxidermy red thrush begins to sing his chorus, moving naturalistic beak, tailfeather and head from side-to-side to continuous birdsong.

The bird retaining the soft red and black toned feathered plumage, perched upon polished brass T bar perch, decorated with silk and twine trails, ivy leaves and stalks, pastel green velvet covered base, under the magnificent architectural square domed cage with canted corners, with the hoop and boss top, eight branch bar arches with small circular bars in between, tooled arched band joining the top dome and the eight cupped urn finials atop the eight plunging fluted columns complimented beautifully by the outstretched bird-in-flight appliqués to band bar centres, main body of cage with the evenly positioned circular bars all the way around, on the substantial polished gilt bronze base with each canted corner bearing a serpent in relief, each side with inset and framed finely painted and fired rectangular Sevres panels, with scenes of figures relaxing and enjoying the sights of the riverbank, the meadow and the foot of mountains, with great detail to the flora and forna of the countryside, finished with highlighted parcel gilt borders, key entry to one corner of the side panel, base edge with cast wide egg-and-dart frieze, on bun feet.

SIZE

Point of interest -

One of the most sought after and most looked forward to models ever made by Bontems, this example is offered in pristine original condition. 

Gilt bronze singing bird cages, usually with stained glass, or fine porcelain panel inserts, were made in limited numbers during the 19th century to commission orders.  The first maker to offer a bird cage to this design was Jacquet Droz in about 1798 with his large singing bird in cage, fusee-driven with a clock to the underside so when hung up, its use was three-dimensional. 

Bontems created this with the past in mind and was no doubt the only maker to undertake such a feat to this degree of quality.  The castings and finish to each element of the cage is truly amazing - not a single part disappoints the eye of a top collector.

Take a very good look at the egg-and-dart moulded frieze at the base of the cage.  Very much the detail one would expect from a carved wooden example which the craftsman would have spend many hours getting to this level of accuracy.

As good as fine painted enamel, the porcelain panels with that lovely blue border strike up the perfect colour choice to go with the richness of the gilded bronze.  

A singing bird cage of the highest order.