Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

New York, Dec 09, 2009

LOT 163

Musical Bird Clock German, possibly Karl Griesbaum, possibly Karl Griesbaum. Made circa 1890. Fine and unusual, silver-gilt filigree, cloisonné and painted on enamel, pearl and paste-set singing bird box.

C. Rectangular with curved corners, the filigree cover decorated with polychrome painted cloisonné enamel birds, applied with collet-set foiled faceted colored stones and half-pearls, the sides decorated to match, pierced foliate borders, foliate engraved base with drawer for the key, bird-form activation slide, aperture in the center for the bird with oval cover decorated to match the case. hinged back compartment. Singing bird movement: full plate, turned pillars, rectangular bellows, bird with moving head, flapping wings, opening beak and tail, cams controlling the piston and the bird?s beak and tail, additional cams for the bird?s other movements, cam-controlled lifting mechanism, pierced and engraved grille. Accompanied by an original bird shaped key. Dim. length 112 mm., width 83mm., height 54mm.