A vintage small double singing birds-in-cage, by Karl Griesbaum,

 

German

 

second half 20th century

 

Going-barrel movement

 

Perfect duet, singing in the minuet

 

When wound by the captive key and the start/stop lever actuated, the first of the two birds begins the song by singing the first phrase, quickly followed by the second singing the second and alternately taking their turns until coming full-circle, perfectly synchronised movements of beaks, heads and tailfeathers to the continuous birdsong.

The first bird with feathered plumage in predominant tones, sits on the gilt brass T perch, accompanied by his ground seated friend in soft mustard yellow plumage, both with black streaked highlights.

The perch is decorated with beautiful twine swags and cut silk leaves and flower heads, the green biased finished base with a red and white toadstool, under the gilt metal domed circular cage with hoop and boss top. The cage frame with plain intermediate band and pressed gilt metal base with floral frieze before moulded plinth on turned feet.

 

size 

 

Point of interest -

 

Two singing birds which take it in turns to sing the continuous phrases of the dawn chorus, to this scale, is to be admired.  The effect is most warming to those who have not seen the pleasures which mechanically-created sound is capable of.  Take a long moment to listen to the complexity involved in providing, in perfect miniature, our feathered friends performing their magic.

Karl Griesbaum were following their idol, Bontems, but with some clever self-designed features, the movement does that little bit more.  The duet birds would very much like to sing to you.