Charles Bruguier singing bird box, fusee movement, silver gilt and enamel case

An early Rochat singing bird box with fusee automaton movement numbered 316 and with stamped three tulip mark in the top plate of the movement. The tortoiseshell case with hinged snuff ( or key) compartment to the rear of the box. The gold lid is finely hand painted in enamel with an excellent alpine scene with a mountain in the background, a lake in the forground. The bezel surrounding the grille through which the bird pops up and down is also of gold. The underside of the lid is also beautifully painted with a posie of flowers on a light blue background. The bird, typically for Rochat, is of a large size for a singing bird box and the grille is typical of Rochat's work rather than Bruguier's. The top of the case with a fine border made from gold. The key wound chain driven fusee movement working the bellows & driving multiple cams that on sliding the operating lever to the front, the lid opens and the bird pops up, sings its head off and 1/ turns its head from left to right, 2/ flaps the wings and finally 3/ pirouettes left and right. On completion of his 20 second performance he drops through the superbly pierced silver gilt grille and the lid closes after him. All fusee movements allow the bird a longer performance than the later spring barrel movements but more importantly one extra manipulation, the movement of the head from left to right. Frères Rochat...

A good antique composition tortoiseshell and gilt metal singing bird box, German circa 1900 Going-barrel movement Setting the birds free... When wound and the sta...

This exceptional singing bird cylinder music box is a wonder of Austrian mechanical ingenuity. Not only does it play a selection of classical airs with remarkable tone and clarity, but its lush sound is accompanied by a colorful, singing bird automaton...

A fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver and erotica enamel vesta case; an addition to our range of collectable silver cases This fine antique Victorian sterling silver vesta case has a plain rectangular form. The body of the case is ornamented with a fine and impressive rectangular enamel panel depicting a nude female character amidst her scattered clothing on the bank of a river, lined with trees and foliage. The case is fitted with a plain hallmarked hinged cover with incorporated thumb piece. This impressive silver vesta case has a serrated panel/match striker to the underside. The posterior surface of this impressive vesta is plain and unembellished. Condition This antique vesta case...