Antique double singing birds-in-cage with hungry chicks in nest, by Bontems

A very rare antique double singing birds-in-cage with hungry chicks in nest, by Bontems
 
The coin-operated model
 
Going-barrel movement
 
French
 
circa 1900
 
When wound and English pre-decimal 1d coin inserted into coin slot to front, the action starts with the perched bird opening and closing beak, bobbing tailfeather and turning head from side to side, whilst the ground standing yellow bird with worm in beak bows forwards and backwards towards her two young in the reed nest, each of which leans forward with mouths wide open to catch their dinner, lasting on one coin approximately 50 seconds.
The taxidermy perched bird in red and black with naturalistic beak and real legs, on brass T perch with well cast gilt boss base, taxidermy yellow and black bird with free-pivoted head to allow the worm to wiggle slightly, standing on mossy crop, tiny young chicks feathered with grey and black down, painted beaks, in circular reed-weaved nest, on mossy textured green base, finished with slightly faded green and yellow silk leaves and branches, brass coin slot, under square domed cage with hoop and boss top, cast intermediate bands, on soft gilt and gesso wood base with floral appliqués to all four sides, on four bun feet, coin drawer to side with brass twist opening and nice original brass T grip key, complete with a handful of 1d. coins - some of them dating back to the early 1900s.
 
Point of interest -
 
This is one of the rarest coin operated singing birds-in-cage models known.  We hoped to handle one of these, but had to wait a good year before finding one. 
The effect of the young being fed a juicy worm is astounding.  
 
The movement consists of a single going-barrel spring, coupled to a stack of five cams - one for the perched bird and pitch, the second for valve timing and head turning, the third for bobbing bird, and the fourth and fifth for the two young in the nest.
Upon acquiring it, the movement was suffering the usual timing problems where the wear over many years of use caused the start/stop lever and the bellow pump linkage to bend out of true.  Someone in the past had also shortened the timing range that the coin was able to run the movement for, so this alteration was easily disconnected and removed without harm to the original design. 
Completely dismantled and tuned, all components were salvageable through straightening and correct positioning, with the spring barrel correctly tensioned, the lead ratchet honed, all linkage pins renewed and the 100+ years of muck, dirt and grease carefully removed and cam plates cleaned to allow correct cam-to-running lever travel.  
Under all the grime both inside and out, the colour and finish was all there; we just couldn't see it.
Working to the correct tension and to the correct timing, it is now chirping happily, the mother feeding her little ones again and the song of good volume. 
 
Coin-operated singing birds-in-cages are always in strong demand.  This piece is a splendid example of a correctly working model with visual and technical features seen only on the finest surviving coin-ops.  It has been a true delight to handle and offer it. 
STOCK No1484
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Antique double singing birds-in-cage with hungry chicks in nest, by Bontems
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Antique double singing birds-in-cage with hungry chicks in nest, by BontemsAntique double singing birds-in-cage with hungry chicks in nest, by BontemsAntique double singing birds-in-cage with hungry chicks in nest, by BontemsAntique double singing birds-in-cage with hungry chicks in nest, by BontemsAntique double singing birds-in-cage with hungry chicks in nest, by BontemsAntique double singing birds-in-cage with hungry chicks in nest, by BontemsAntique double singing birds-in-cage with hungry chicks in nest, by BontemsAntique double singing birds-in-cage with hungry chicks in nest, by BontemsAntique double singing birds-in-cage with hungry chicks in nest, by BontemsAntique double singing birds-in-cage with hungry chicks in nest, by BontemsAntique double singing birds-in-cage with hungry chicks in nest, by Bontems
 
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75 Portobello Road London W11 2QB 0207 221 1121 07967 385258
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