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Antique Tortoiseshell Singing Bird Box, Most Probably by Bontems
About the Item
A antique tortoiseshell singing bird box, most probably by Bontems,
Going barrel movement,
Gilt metal two-tone brilliance...
When wound and start/stop slide moved to the right, the bird pops up through foliate chased gilt grille, then proceeds to move bone beak, wings and body from side-to-side to good complex continuous synchronized birdsong.
The bird with streaked feathered plumage in brown, yellow, turquoise and red, lime green and purple iridescent highlights, highly polished lid interior for full bird reflection, in plain polished tortoiseshell case, twinned laurel leaf engraved bird lid border with the bird lid engraved with love birds and rose united beneath leaf swag arch, accentuated with gilt on silvered ground, hidden key compartment to rear.
Point of interest -
Gilt metalwork was one of the many specialties at the Bontems workshops, and although this is neither signed or numbered, one can confidently attribute his name on this piece.
The striking two-tone metal effect seen on the lid which really stands out the detail of the lovebirds to their best is relatively straight-forward to do, but only when working with hands which know what they are doing. The fine gilt surface is prepared first and polished. A superb embellishment to the noir tortoiseshell which surmounts it.
- Dimensions:Height: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)Width: 3.7 in (9.4 cm)Depth: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1890
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2015330901192
About the Seller
4.6
Vetted Seller
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Established in 2012
1stDibs seller since 2016
75 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
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