Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 15, 2016

LOT 398

SINGING BIRD BOX SILVER GILT Swiss, Designe Fecit, circa 1843. Fine and rare gilt silver singing bird box. Accompanied by leather fitted box signed E.W. & S. Phillips, Leeds.

Rectangular, florally engraved over engine-turning, bird lid finely engraved with coat of arms Rectangular, 85 x 45 mm. brass, turned pillars, fusee and chain, rectangular bellows, bird with moving head, flapping wings, opening beak and tail, eight cams controlling the piston and the bird's beak and tail, two additional for the other movements, long duration of song with natural bird song, precision cam-controlled lifting mechanism, gold grill pierced and engraved with floral pattern.