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Early 20th Century West German Two-Bird Singing Automaton in Gilded Brass Cage
$2,625
£1,990.15
€2,299.05
CA$3,716.52
A$4,169.23
CHF 2,155.62
MX$50,283.20
NOK 27,423.94
SEK 25,685.12
DKK 17,158.64
About the Item
An enchanting masterpiece of mechanical artistry, this rare two-bird singing automaton embodies the romance and refinement of Europe's fascination with automatons at the turn of the century. Enclosed within an elegantly domed gilded brass cage with a finely cast acanthus finial and weighted base, a pair of brilliantly feathered songbirds, one radiant in golden yellow, the other resplendent in crimson, perch amidst delicate green foliage and a single hand-tinted rose atop a velvet-lined stage of regal burgundy.
At the turn of the key, the duet begins: the birds animate with remarkable naturalism, their beaks opening, heads turning, and tails flicking in lifelike sequence as they trade crystalline notes in a charming musical dialogue. This alternating song, executed with precision and grace, recalls the ingenuity of West German automaton makers whose creations delighted connoisseurs of the Belle Epoque.
A rare surviving example in beautifully preserved and fully functional condition, this automaton is both a technical marvel and an objet de vertu, destined to be the focal point of any distinguished collection of fine music boxes, decorative arts, or mechanical curiosities.
- Dimensions:Height: 11.5 in (29.21 cm)Diameter: 7.5 in (19.05 cm)
- Style:Rococo Revival (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1900
- Condition:Repaired: This automaton has been professionally restored and is now fully functional. Wear consistent with age and use. The gilded brass cage retains a warm luster with minor surface wear consistent with age.
- Seller Location:Middleburg, VA
- Reference Number:Seller: 70561stDibs: LU872646344722
About the Seller
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