A very fine and rare antique hexagonal-profile large single singing bird-in-cage, by Phallibois,

 

Circa 1880

 

Going-barrel movement

 

A singing bird in cage of distinction...

 

When wound and the start/stop lever actuated, the perched naturalistic bird moves beak, tailfeather and head from side-to-side to continuous and highly accurate synchronised birdsong.

The bird with bright and predominant blue feathered plumage, naturalistic beak, perched upon flowering tree with bark and moss detail, fan-spray branches and knotted trunk to rocky and flower encrusted ground with silk and dried stems and leaves, under circular domed cage with hoop and boss top, large single intermediate cage band, to very impressive gilt gesso hexagonal base with the concave molded waist with multiple floral swags and central trail drops, above stylised acanthus leaf frieze, plain ogee plinth, raised on bun feet, start/stop lever and key-wind spindle from centre-side.

 

Point of interest -

 

Birdsong notations on these large singing bird cages tend to be higher in complexity than ones which were made later.  Complexity does not always mean melodic beauty, and this example demonstrates carefully that difference by being very complex and very natural.  This is no doubt one of the many 'recordings' made by listening to real forest birdsong, writing down quickly the rise, fall and pitch spacing, before heading to the workshop to mill out cams which replicated as close as possible to the notes made. 

To top of all, the base of this cage is superb - they could have simply turned a circle, gilded it and finished with appliqués, but no; they went better and created a pure joy of a case which is to be admired in full.

 

RG