French

 

circa 1900

 

With rare intermittent singing feature.

 

Double the fun...

 

When wound and actuation lever set to continuous position, the pair of full taxidermy perched exotic cockatiels take turns to sing the continuous phrases, by opening and closing natural beaks, turning heads and bobbing tailfeathers in perfect synchronicity.  The perched bird with out-stretched wings poised to take off, on polished brass T bar perch, the twin perched on base lower down, plumaged in cream, grey and blood red.

Setting to intermittent, the birds move as continuous, with the song separated into small phrases, with a pause between each phrase at about 18 seconds.

 

Beige velvet covered base, under the very stylish domed square cage with canted corners, large hoop and boss top for hanging.  Base in good gesso with floral and leaf detail, moulded edges, on small bun feet.  Key with leaf-fret thumb grip.

 

  

Size -

21in. high (53.5cm)

 

Point of Interest -

 

It certainly makes a change to see even more species of birds and here, the use of a pair certainly carry more visual weight.  With the intermittent feature, it stands out as even more special.  

The intermittent feature is very clever, but simply done.  There is a lever fixed onto the spine of the reservoir which, when fully inflated during the short phrase, catches the governor and makes the movement stop.  The reservoir seeps a tiny amount of air so when the lever clears the governor, the movement and pumps go back to work playing the next phrase and inflate the reservoir again.  Due to this piece having a superb bellows covering and set up correctly, the result is wonderful and so very lifelike.

 

A double singing birds in cage with two desirable differences.