The Longitude at the Eve of the Third...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 23, 1999

LOT 404

(Bontems), Paris, circa 1880.Fine tortoiseshell, singing bird box.

C. Two body, tortoiseshell. hinged back panel over the key compartment and silver gilt bezel to the singing bird aperture. The gilt brass singing bird lid chased with a scene featuring two cherubs opening a cage to free a bird. Singing bird movement: rectangular plates with going barrel and rectangular bellow, the bird with moving wings and beak, controlled by two cams mounted beneath the barrel wheel, gilt brass grill pierced and engraved with flowers and foliage.Dim. 100 x 65 x 35 mm.